FAO news > Emergencies/Criseshttp://www.fao.org/news/en/
News from the UN Food and Agriculture OrganizationenFAO Newsroom RSS Newsfeed Export
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss
2009 FAOFAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)Syria: Better rains improve wheat production, but food security situation remains bleak The 2015 wheat crop is expected to be better than the 2014 drought stricken harvest, but will not lead to significant improvements in the overall household food security situation, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) said in their report.

23 July 2015, Rome - Syria's food production has increased this year mainly due to favourable rains, but it remains way below its pre-crisis levels as the ongoing conflict continues to push more people into hunger and poverty, according to a report published today by two UN agencies.

The 2015 wheat crop is expected to be better than the 2014 drought stricken harvest, but will not lead to significant improvements in the overall household food security situation, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) said in their report.

In total, some 9.8 million people in Syria are estimated to be food insecure, with 6.8 million of these severely food insecure - a level of need that requires external food assistance. Since January this year alone, more than half a million people have been displaced.

The conflict continues to seriously disrupt agricultural activities and food markets, according to the FAO-WFP report.

"Although Syria's current harvest is better than expected due to abundant rains, the country's agriculture sector remains decimated by the conflict. Urgent donor support is needed to ensure farmers can meet the upcoming cereal planting season, beginning in October," said Dominique Burgeon, Director of FAO's Emergency and Rehabilitation Division.

Agricultural production continues to be impeded by shortages of fuel, farm labour and agricultural inputs, including seeds and fertilizers; high input costs and unreliable quality; as well as damages to irrigation systems and farming equipment. These factors are compounding the food insecurity situation in the country.

"The evidence is clear: almost five years of conflict have destroyed the Syrian economy and the people's ability to buy essentials like the food they need to survive," said Arif Husain, WFP's Chief Economist. "We worry about the continued displacement and its impact particularly on women and children. The risk of irreversible damage to the children is real, with tragic future consequences if this conflict lasts much longer." He added: "We urge the international community to continue supporting the vital peace and relief efforts until peace is found."

Wheat production in 2015, estimated at 2.445 million tonnes, is expected to be better than the very poor harvest of 2014 and slightly better than that of 2013. Yet, it is still 40 percent lower than pre-conflict production levels. The country faces a wheat deficit of about 800 000 tonnes out of its yearly requirement of nearly 5 million tonnes, the report said.

The area planted to cereals was constrained by insecurity and the estimated harvested wheat area is the smallest since the 1960s, the reports notes.

Livestock production is also gravely affected by the conflict. The sector, once a major contributor to Syria's domestic economy and to its external trade, has seen reductions of 30 per cent in cattle and 40 per cent in sheep and goats, while poultry, usually the most affordable source of protein in people's diets has shrunk by 50 per cent. The report also noted that the country's veterinary service is rapidly running out of vaccines and routine drugs.

Price of bread has skyrocketed

After being relatively stable in 2014, food prices began increasing sharply in early 2015 in the wake of lower government subsidies and exchange rate depreciation. Critically, the price of bread has spiraled in the past year, increasing by up to 87 per cent in public bakeries.

The share of household expenditure on food has increased tremendously since the beginning of the crisis, at the expense of meeting other critical needs. Families were found to be spending more than half of their incomes on food and in some places such as Sweida, Aleppo and Hama this share is higher and has jumped to almost 80 percent in Dara'a, one of the areas which have witnessed some of the most intensive fighting.

A majority of people were found consuming a "poor" or "borderline" diet. Dietary diversity is somewhat better in the north-western governorates of Idlib, Tartous and Lattakia, where households seem to have some access to high quality and vitamin rich proteins and vegetables. People in the conflict-affected governorates of Deir Ezzor, Hassakeh, Aleppo and Hama have the worse food consumption indicators.

Market fragmentation

Syria's producers, transporters and traders are facing extremely high transaction costs and risks due to further increased insecurity in arterial highways. As a result, movement of agricultural produce from production areas to main markets face multiple bottlenecks, leading to increased wastage of fruit and vegetables and hampering transfers of wheat surpluses from the north east to the food deficit areas of the west of the country

Recommendations

While an end to the conflict remains the main precondition for ensuring that people in Syria have adequate access to food, the FAO-WFP report provides a set of recommendations aimed at improving the current food security situation, stressing the need for food assistance to the besieged and violence afflicted areas of the country.

It recommends assistance to boost wheat and other cereal production through the provision of good quality seeds, fertilizers and other agricultural inputs.

In order to strengthen the resiliance of affected communities, it further recommends supporting the establishment of village-based private seed production and distribution centres, promoting backyard vegetable and poultry production through distribution of improved seeds and chicks, as well as providing livestock vaccines and veterinary drugs.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/317282/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/317282/icode/Thu, 23 Jul 2015 07:00:00 GMTWorries rise over outbreaks of avian flu in West Africa Fears are growing that without timely intervention to stem outbreaks of the highly virulent avian flu virus H5N1 across West Africa, further spread across the region and beyond is inevitable, FAO said today.

20 July 2015, Rome – Fears are growing that without timely intervention to stem outbreaks of the highly virulent avian flu virus H5N1 across West Africa, further spread across the region and beyond is inevitable, FAO said today.

To this end, the agency is calling for $20 million for prevention and response activities.

The call follows outbreaks of the virus in poultry farms, markets and family holdings in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana.

The outbreak comes as countries across West Africa are still recovering from, and in some cases still battling, Ebola. Avian flu could trigger a mass die-off of chicken – a nutritious and inexpensive source of food for many people– with detrimental impacts on diets and on the economy of the region, exacerbating an already difficult situation.

Previous strains of the virus - known to be highly virulent to poultry and capable of causing illness and fatalities in humans – have been circulating in Asia since the early 2000s and in Egypt for almost 10 years. The H5N1 strain has caused the death of tens of millions of poultry and losses of tens of billions of dollars.

While the first incursion of the H5N1 in West Africa occurred in 2006 it was eliminated by 2008. In late 2014, however, the virus was re-introduced in Nigeria, where it spread rapidly in the following three months - to date more than 1.6 million birds have been culled or have died from the virus.

Because the disease can be transmitted to humans and is considered highly lethal, FAO is working closely with the World Health Organization on country assessments, contingency plans, offering technical assistance and investigating potential flu cases and the source of infection.

FAO assessment missions to Benin, Cameroon, Mali and Togo – undertaken in collaboration with the World Organisation for Animal Health, the African Union, and in some cases with the World Bank – have not identified cases of H5N1 in poultry, but these countries and other countries in the Sub-Region need to ensure that prevention and preparedness measures are in place.

“Based on what we do know, there is a real risk of further virus spread. Urgent action is needed to strengthen veterinary investigation and reporting systems in the region and tackle the disease at the root, before there is a spillover to humans,” said Juan Lubroth, Chief of FAO’s Animal Health Service Division.

Prevention and response

FAO’s appeal for $20 million for prevention and response foresees bolstering weak veterinary systems, improving the capabilities of local laboratories and putting FAO specialists on the ground in affected and at-risk countries.

In the countries that have experienced outbreaks, response interventions include destruction of infected and exposed poultry, disinfection of premises and markets and the safe disposal of dead birds.

Veterinary officers, meanwhile, are encouraged to use basic techniques like “trace-forward” – which looks at where infected animals have been sold or moved to – and “trace backward” – examining where infected animals were purchased or where they came from – to find sources with the ultimate goal of halting continuous virus introduction or further spread.

Although quality vaccines are available, the vaccination strategy to be implemented poses certain challenges in some countries and there is always a risk of creating a false sense of security by assuming that the administration of a dose of vaccine will resolve all threats. Instead, behavioral changes – including enhanced hygiene routines, good poultry production, and safe transportation practices of healthy animals – ought to be at the heart of prevention plans, according to FAO.

Collaborating with the private sector, particularly poultry and rural or market associations, is crucial to getting the message out to producers and sellers.

Stronger regulatory systems

Poultry production has grown steadily in West Africa over the last 10 years, with some countries, like Cote d’Ivoire, seeing production soar by over 60 percent since 2006.

But regulatory systems have not grown to deal effectively with this increase in production and there is an acute need to make the market chains safer – from production to transporter to seller. At a regional level, these value chains can be across borders and thus require stronger customs controls and greater compliance with product safety norms.

In addition to working with national veterinary offices, FAO recommends that good preparedness plans include close coordination with security forces – military and police – as well as with provincial government leaders, WHO and regional bodies like ECOWAS (the Economic Community of West African States), to better control outbreaks and prevent spreading across the region of 330 million people.

“We’re looking at a disease - H5N1 - that has already spread to five countries in six months. We have to make a concerted effort to stop it in its tracks and we have to do it now,” Lubroth said.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/297715/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/297715/icode/Sun, 19 Jul 2015 22:00:00 GMTAchieving Zero Hunger: Combining social protection with pro-poor investments The report noted how the international community needs to build on the successful experiences of some countries that have effectively used a combination of investment and social protection to combat hunger and poverty in rural and urban areas.

JOINT FAO / WFP / IFAD NEWS RELEASE

10 July 2015, Rome

- Eradicating world hunger sustainably by 2030 will require an estimated additional $267 billion per year on average for investments in rural and urban areas and in social protection, so poor people have access to food and can improve their livelihoods, a new UN report says. This would average $160 annually for each person living in extreme poverty over the 15 year period.

Prepared by FAO, the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP), the report, which was presented in Rome today, comes ahead of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 13 - 16 July 2015.

The report notes that despite the progress made in recent decades, today nearly 800 million people, most of them in rural areas, still do not have enough food to eat.

Eliminating chronic undernourishment by 2030 is a key element of the proposed Sustainable Development Goal 2 of the new post-2015 agenda to be adopted by the international community later this year and is also at the heart of the Zero Hunger Challenge promoted by the UN Secretary-General.

"The message of the report is clear: if we adopt a "business as usual" approach, by 2030, we would still have more than 650 million people suffering from hunger. This is why we are championing an approach that combines social protection with additional targeted investments in rural development, agriculture and urban areas that will chiefly benefit the poor," said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva.

"Our report estimates that this will require a total investment of some US$267 billion per year over the next 15 years. Given that this is more or less equivalent to 0.3 percent of the global GDP, I personally think it is a relatively small price to pay to end hunger," Graziano da Silva added.

"This report helps us to see the magnitude of the challenge ahead of us, but we believe that we won't see gains in reducing poverty and hunger unless we seriously invest in rural people," said IFAD President Kanayo F. Nwanze.

"Given the right kind of tools and resources, small-scale agricultural producers and rural entrepreneurs can transform struggling communities into thriving places," the IFAD President added.

"We need a dramatic shift in thinking to help the world's poorest break the cycle of hunger and poverty by 2030. We cannot allow them to be left behind," said WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin. "We must invest in the most vulnerable and ensure that they have the tools they need not only to overcome hunger, but to enhance their resources and capabilities."

The report noted how the international community needs to build on the successful experiences of some countries that have effectively used a combination of investment and social protection to combat hunger and poverty in rural and urban areas.

In an advocacy note accompanying the report, the FAO, IFAD and WFP chiefs also noted that the Addis Ababa conference seeks to ensure that all countries, especially developing countries, have the means to implement national policies and programmes to achieve their development objectives, including the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals.

Lifting people from below the poverty line and making this sustainable

According to the report, a "business as usual" approach would still leave some 650 million people hungry in 2030.

It contrasts this with a combined social protection and investment scenario whereby public funded transfers will be used to lift people out of chronic hunger by ensuring that they reach a US$1.25/day income which corresponds to the World Bank-determined poverty line level.

This social protection measure would cost an additional $116 billion per year - $75 billion for rural areas and $41 billion for urban areas. Some $151 billion in additional pro-poor investments - $105 billion for rural development and agriculture and $46 billion for urban areas - would also be required to stimulate income generation to the advantage of those living in poverty. The combination of social protection and investments brings the total to $267 billion.

Most of the investment would normally come from the private sector, especially farmers. However, private investments need to be complemented by additional public sector investments in rural infrastructure, transport, health and education.

In rural areas, pro-poor public investments could target small-scale irrigation and other infrastructure benefitting small holders. They could include measures such as food processing to reduce post-harvest waste and losses, as well as stronger institutional arrangements for land and water tenure, credit facilities, labour legislation, and other areas, to make farm and off-farm activities and markets accessible to marginalized groups, including women and young people.

In urban areas, the additional investments should ensure that people living in extreme poverty will eventually be able to provide for themselves. The investments could, for example, target capacity building to impart entrepreneurial and other skills, including craftsmanship, and ensure fair labour contracts, provide credit facilities, housing as well as nutrition-related services.

From social protection to production

Social protection in the form of cash transfers will eliminate hunger immediately, and will improve nutrition by allowing the poor to afford more diverse and thus healthier diets and also fight "hidden hunger" - micronutrient deficiencies, including the inadequate intake of vitamins, iron and other minerals.

Given their meagre means and assets, people living in extreme poverty are initially not expected to be able to invest much in productive activities. However, as they become more productive through investments, they will earn more, and also save and invest more, and thus further increase their earnings.Read the report

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/297804/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/297804/icode/Thu, 09 Jul 2015 22:00:00 GMTMore than $20 million urgently needed to help Nepal's farmers recover from earthquake Some $20 million is urgently needed to support farmers in earthquake-hit Nepal resume agricultural activities and stave off the threat of prolonged food insecurity facing an estimated one million people.

19 June 2015, Kathmandu - Some $20 million is urgently needed to support farmers in earthquake-hit Nepal resume agricultural activities and stave off the threat of prolonged food insecurity facing an estimated one million people, FAO warned today.

To date, only 13 percent has been received of the $23.4 million in emergency agricultural assistance which FAO estimates is required, as part of the revised UN Flash Appeal for Nepal.

Two separate earthquakes and a series of aftershocks struck in April and May killing more than 8,000 people and devastating large parts of the country.

The disaster has also heavily disrupted agricultural activities threatening the livelihoods of rural families.

An FAO-led Agricultural Livelihood Impact Appraisal found that in Nepal's six hardest-hit districts, half of all farming households lost nearly all of their stored crops of rice, maize, wheat and millet.

In addition, the earthquakes destroyed farming tools, kitchen gardens and supplies of fertilizer and caused significant damage to small-scale irrigation.

Some 16 percent of cattle and 36 percent of poultry were lost in the disaster with detrimental effects on rural household consumption and income.

"Agriculture is a critical priority because two-thirds of Nepalis depend on farming for their livelihoods," said FAO Representative in Nepal, Somsak Pipoppinyo.

Current levels of international assistance for Nepal's earthquake-affected farmers will deliver "only a fraction" of the assistance urgently required, Somsak stressed.

"We only have a limited window to act," he added, noting how rice seeds have to be distributed urgently before the start of the heavy monsoon rains which are expect to arrive in the coming days.

Many earthquake survivors are still living under corrugated iron shelters, tarpaulins or even plastic tunnels normally used for growing vegetables and are vulnerable to mudslides. Many of their animals have no shelter.

Farm support key to relief effort

The most urgent needs for the current cropping season are seeds and fertilizers, followed by irrigation, tools and technical support. The repair and functioning of irrigation systems will be critical for the winter cropping season, as well as barley and wheat seeds.

The Organization has already distributed 40,000 (5 kilogram) bags of rice seeds to the six most-affected districts of Dhading, Dolakha, Gorkha, Nuwakot, Rasuwa and Sindhupalchowk, in time for farmers to plant before the monsoon.

It has also distributed airtight grain storage bags, animal feed supplements and vegetable seeds. In the coming weeks, FAO plans to distribute additional farming inputs including more vegetable seeds, wheat seeds for the winter season, mineral blocks and corrugated iron for livestock shelter.

FAO is also looking at ways of increasing the resilience of Nepal's most vulnerable farmers to future crises. In particular, in order to avoid as much as possible,future losses of lives, properties and arable land due to landslides, options include planting deep-rooted trees and bushes, installing cages full of stones - known as gabions - to fix some highly unstable soil which has a high probability of sliding when filled with water with the coming monsoon.

In addition, FAO will look at mapping major earthquake cracks in key districts, monitoring any changes and establishing early warning systems to advise farmers of emerging landslide risks.

FAO has received around $3 million for emergency relief so far, thanks to contributions from Belgium, Italy and Norway.

Recent violence has affected an estimated 750 000 people in Greater Upper Nile and forced approximately 150 000 people to flee their homes, many to extremely remote areas. Most are rural households, forced to abandon their lands before they could plant this season's main crops.

The humanitarian community has developed portable, lifesaving survival kits, which include mosquito nets, short-maturity vegetable seeds, fishing supplies, water carrying containers, water purification tablets, oral rehydration salts, nutritional biscuits for children and kitchen sets with cups, spoons, pots and plates. Each survival kit weighs only 9 kilos and is designed to provide short-term assistance to the most vulnerable families fleeing violence in locations that remain inaccessible. The first distribution of survival kits was delivered by helicopter, targeting an estimated 28 000 IDPs with approximately 4 500 kits.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are closely coordinating the fluid and challenging operational aspects of the emergency response, with support from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Development of the kits was a multi-agency effort, supported by FAO, IOM, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the International Rescue Committee, the South Sudan cluster system and others.

"Taking into consideration the persistent access constraints in South Sudan, the survival kits could represent a new, innovative modality for reaching extremely vulnerable people in remote areas with lifesaving assistance," said Laura Jones, IOM Shelter and Non-Food Items Cluster Coordinator.

Partner agencies are carefully collecting and analysing information from partners on the ground and working with the International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps, who distribute the kits on the ground, to ensure that the delivery of aid does not further expose beneficiaries to protection issues and security risks.

"It is a top priority for FAO to reach these displaced communities, who in most cases have missed the planting season this year. This operation will provide people with a short-term capacity to survive" remarked Karim Bah, FAO Deputy Representative in South Sudan.

For many displaced and food-insecure communities, the survival kits may be the only humanitarian aid they receive during the next crucial weeks of the lean season.

The UNICEF Representative in South Sudan, Jonathan Veitch, said: "The majority of those who have fled recent violence are children who will not survive without basic necessities like food and clean water. This short-term response is crucial while we work on restoring services devastated by conflict."

The priority of all agencies working on the response is unrestricted access to displaced communities and the redeployment of full teams on the ground.

More than 2.1 million people have been displaced by the crisis in South Sudan since December 2013. The humanitarian community has reached 1.88 million people with humanitarian assistance since January 2015 but requires $1 billion to continue lifesaving operations to match the depth of needs across the country.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/293973/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/293973/icode/Tue, 16 Jun 2015 12:00:00 GMTAs South Sudan conflict escalates, 4.6 million people at risk of severe food insecurity The IPC estimates for April, indicate that most of the people affected - 3 million at Crisis level and 800 000 at the Emergency level - are located in the three states of the country's northeastern Greater Upper Nile region hardest hit by the fighting. Many others are from the western part of the Greater Bahr el Ghazal region where conditions have deteriorated as a result of a spillover from the conflict.

29 May 2015, Rome - The ongoing conflict and related economic downturn in South Sudan has left 3.8 million people facing emergency and crisis levels of food insecurity, according to a new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report. That is 1.3 million more than the IPC's last projection made in December 2014.

It warned that unless action is taken, the situation is set to further deteriorate with around 4.6 million people, or some 40 percent of the country's population becoming severely food insecure by July 2015.

The IPC estimates for April, indicate that most of the people affected - 3 million at Crisis level and 800 000 at the Emergency level - are located in the three states of the country's northeastern Greater Upper Nile region hardest hit by the fighting. Many others are from the western part of the Greater Bahr el Ghazal region where conditions have deteriorated as a result of a spillover from the conflict.

The conflict and insecurity disrupted last year's planting season in the Greater Upper Nile region and has led to the displacement of millions of livestock animals as herders fled from the fighting across the country. As conflict escalates, more people are being displaced above the 1.5 million already recorded in 2014. Meanwhile, even in non-conflict affected areas many markets are not functioning properly while rising inflation and depreciation of the local currency are driving food prices upwards.

The report also shows that in addition to the 3.8 million people now at Emergency and Crisis levels, an additional 4 million have reached the Stressed food security phase (see graphic at right). "This means they will not be able to adequately sustain their livelihoods or meet their food needs without engaging in negative coping mechanisms including consuming wild foods and skipping meals," said Erminio Sacco, Chief Technical Adviser of the Agriculture Food Information System in South Sudan - an FAO project funded by the European Union to support the institutionalization of robust food security information systems at both the national and state levels.

"Observed trends, such as market disruption with increasing food prices, will inevitably lead this population to spiral into acute levels of food insecurity across the country," he added.

The IPC is a multi-partner initiative that uses a standardized approach to classifying food insecurity, particularly in crises situations. Estimates are based on a technical consensus among the involved stakeholders, including governments.

Livelihoods at risk while food prices rise

Already, in South Sudan's capital and largest city, Juba, prices of both locally produced and imported cereals, vegetable oil and sugar increased by 24 to 69 percent in the first quarter of the year and are currently 90 to 100 percent above the normal seasonal levels.

Food typically comprises a large share of household expenditure here - up to 85 percent for the urban poor. As the economic downturn erodes incomes, more urban and rural poor will be unable to meet their food requirements.

The IPC report noted how the conflict has threatened rural livelihoods, particularly in the Greater Upper Nile region, further eroding the food security situation. For example, it noted a significant decrease in the amount of households that receive income from casual - skilled and unskilled - labour, declining from typically 20 to 30 percent to merely 6 to 8 percent.

In order to make a living or meet their food needs, many people in rural areas are now engaged in alternative livelihoods options such as sale of crops, livestock and natural resources such as wooden poles, grass, firewood, charcoal, or are seeking food assistance through kinship ties.

As part of its country resilience programme, FAO has scaled up efforts to reach 2.8 million people with emergency livelihood support including crop kits, vegetable kits, fishing kits and livestock treatment kits in 2015. But the Organization warns that the South Sudanese people's ability to recover will remain fragile until people can fully resume rebuilding their livelihoods.

"FAO South Sudan is adapting its operations and prioritizing emergency livelihood interventions to reach people who are severely food insecure, but the main concern is safety and accessing these people in time," said FAO Representative Serge Tissot.

"To avoid a further and potentially catastrophic decline in the food security situation of the most vulnerable, it is critical that partners continue and possibly expand their work on emergency livelihood support as well as on building resilience," Tissot added.

The latest IPC report endorsed by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan can be found here. The next comprehensive IPC analysis for South Sudan will be completed in September 2015.]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/287907/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/287907/icode/Thu, 28 May 2015 10:00:00 GMTSouth Sudan: FAO ramps up airlifts to reach conflict-hit farmers As the main planting season here begins, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is accelerating its efforts to get vital seeds, tools and other materials to some of South Sudan’s most vulnerable farmers.

14 May 2015, Juba - As the main planting season here begins, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is accelerating its efforts to get vital seeds, tools and other materials to some of South Sudan's most vulnerable farmers.

With up to 18 flights loaded with seeds, tools and fishing kits leaving Juba each day, FAO is working to get these materials into farmers' hands in time for planting in conflict-hit areas of Upper Nile and Jonglei states, where hunger and malnutrition levels are particularly high. The airlifts are complementing land transportation in areas no longer reachable by truck.

In the last few days, almost 100 tonnes of inputs have been flown from Juba to local airstrips, representing just a portion of those destined to reach over 175,000 food-insecure farming families in Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei by the end of May.

"For many farmers, this is the only opportunity to plant cereals this year", said Serge Tissot, acting FAO Representative in South Sudan. "Without seeds now, they will have to wait another year to plant and that means they won't see another cereal harvest until the end of 2016".

So far, just one flight was able to land in Unity state before the conflict forced partners and UN agencies to suspend activities. FAO is monitoring the situation and adapting its programme to rapidly meet the needs of thousands of vulnerable people, taking any opportunity to provide inputs in more secure areas.

The current wave of fighting comes at a crucial time for farmers who have depleted their food stocks and have only the next few weeks to plant their crops.

"We have a small window to provide farmers with the inputs they need to start planting", added Karim Bah, FAO's Emergency Response Manager in South Sudan. "Given the massive quantities that have to be moved in a very short time, renewed insecurity in some areas and the start of rains, we have had to use the fastest means of transport - where trucks are no longer a viable option, airlifts have been the most appropriate alternative".

FAO is collaborating with national and international NGOs based in the target regions to distribute the airlifted materials on the ground.Multi-pronged effort

The airlifts are just one part of FAO's wider efforts to provide conflict-affected and food-insecure families in South Sudan with a means to produce their own food and build more resilient livelihoods.

All told, FAO is aiming to support 2.8 million people throughout South Sudan in 2015 by providing a combination of vegetable, crop and fishing kits, as well as other kinds of support.

With planting underway, crop kits are being prioritized. Each containing at least three cereal seeds (sorghum, cowpea, maize, groundnut and sesame) and a hoe, the kits are sufficient to plant 1.3 hectares per family. Recipient households can be expected to harvest 1 360 kg of cereals in September/October, enough to feed their families for five months.

FAO has also been carrying out widespread livestock vaccination campaigns during the dry season, targeting animals based in the cattle camps before they start migrating as the rains begin.

"So far, we have reached 2 million animals in 2015, protecting the main social and economic asset of hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese agropastoralists, as well as safeguarding public health from the spread of animal diseases," said Tissot.

As part of FAO's efforts to control livestock disease outbreaks, the Organization has facilitated a meeting between the veterinary authorities of Uganda and South Sudan to discuss cooperation for the control and prevention of transboundary animal diseases.

Agriculture has huge potential to drive growth and prosperity in South Sudan, even when violence limits production and disrupts other economic activities. As food security deteriorates in many parts of the country, FAO is increasing its efforts to support the people of South Sudan in producing the food that is so crucially needed by their families and communities.

FAO ‘s programme in South Sudan combines a range of short- and long-term activities with the overall goal of helping the country's farmers, fishers, herders and forest-dependent communities to build stronger, more resilient livelihoods.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/286587/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/286587/icode/Wed, 13 May 2015 22:00:00 GMTNepal Earthquake’s impact on food security and agriculture likely very high Some $8 million is urgently needed to help disaster-struck Nepalese farmers rapidly recover lost agricultural inputs and resume preparations for the imminent rice sowing season, FAO said today.

30 April 2015, Rome-- Some $8 million is urgently needed to help disaster-struck Nepalese farmers rapidly recover lost agricultural inputs and resume preparations for the imminent rice sowing season, FAO said today.

The impact of the recent major earthquake on food security and agricultural livelihoods is expected to be very high.

Farmers who miss the planting season that is expected to start late May onwards will be unable to harvest rice – the country’s staple food -- again until late 2016. This, together with likely losses of food stocks and wheat and maize harvests, would severely limit food supplies and incomes in the South Asian country, where around two-thirds of people rely on agriculture for their livelihood, FAO said.

Last week, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake – the country’s biggest in 80 years – shook Nepal, killing thousands while limiting access to food and leaving some 3.5 million in need of food assistance.

Agricultural areas among worst hit

Million of people across the country’s Western and Central Regions are affected by the disaster, including its largest cities, Kathmandu and Pokhara.

But some of the country’s most vulnerable agricultural areas, particularly the villages in mountain and hilly regions, also bore the brunt.

Although damage to the agriculture sector has not yet been assessed, affected families have likely lost livestock, crops, food stocks and valuable agricultural inputs. At the same time, the disaster has destroyed markets and infrastructure, including roads and crucial irrigation and drainage canals. As a result, internal trade, including the movement of emergency assistance, is severely constrained.

Before the earthquake hit, FAO estimated Nepal’s wheat production in 2015 at 1.8 million tonnes – some 5 percent below last year’s record harvest. But crop damage and farmer’s inability to harvest in earthquake-affected areas are likely to change this forecast. In addition, disruption of planting operations for rice and maize may severely reduce the planted area for these crops in the most affected areas.

Critical window of opportunity

In addition to distributing crop-production packages to secure this year’s harvest, FAO and partners will support the Nepalese government in preventing further loss of livestock by providing animal feed and veterinary supplies that will ensure animals stay healthy and productive for families relying on them for food and income.

In all, FAO will support 20.000 of the most vulnerable farming households protect and rebuild their livelihoods. Timely agricultural interventions are essential to increase the resilience of affected farming families and greatly reduce the time and cost of recovery.

“There is a critical window of opportunity to help crop producers plant in time to have a rice harvest this year and regain their self-sufficiency,” said Somsak Pipoppinyo, FAO Representative in Nepal. “At the same time, we need to do all we can to preserve vital livestock assets which provide affected families with much needed income and nutrition.”

UN agencies and partners launched a $415 million emergency appeal for Nepal to address the most urgent needs. FAO’s appeal is part of a larger $128-million request under the Food Security Cluster, led by FAO and the World Food Programme. In addition to emergency agriculture support, the cluster aims to distribute 50.000 tonnes of food to families in need, along with setting up cash-transfer programmes and helping communities rebuild.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/285171/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/285171/icode/Wed, 29 Apr 2015 22:00:00 GMTMillions of Yemenis face food insecurity amidst escalating conflict Amidst escalating conflict at a crucial time in the country’s cropping season, almost 11 million people in Yemen are severely food insecure and millions more are at risk of not meeting their basic food needs, FAO said today.

15 April 2015, Rome - Amidst escalating conflict at a crucial time in the country’s cropping season, almost 11 million people in Yemen are severely food insecure and millions more are at risk of not meeting their basic food needs, FAO said today.

According to the organization's latest assessment, increasing conflict in nearly all major towns across the country is disrupting markets and trade, driving up local food prices and hampering agricultural production, including land preparation and planting for the 2015 maize and sorghum harvests.

10.6 million Yemenis are now severely food insecure, of which 4.8 million are facing "emergency" conditions, suffering from severe lack of food access, very high and increasing malnutrition, and irreversible destruction of livelihoods.

Around 850,000 children are acutely malnourished.

More than half of Yemen’s population – some 16 million out of a total of 26 million— is in need of some form of humanitarian aid and has no access to safe water.

The latest escalation of conflicts is expected to further increase food insecurity in the poverty-stricken country. Paradoxically, some 2.5 million food producers, including farmers, pastoralists, fishermen and agricultural wage labourers, are among those identified as food insecure.

“We are entering a crucial period for crop production in Yemen and now, more than ever, agriculture cannot be an afterthought if we want to prevent more people from becoming food insecure amidst this crisis,” said FAO Representative for Yemen, Salah Hajj Hassan.

Governorates in the far Northwest and South are most severely affected by food insecurity.

Market disruption

In some areas, like the western port city of Hodeidah, food prices have doubled and fuel prices have quadrupled. Further increases are expected as a result of fuel shortages and the impact of civil unrest on imports and transportation networks across Yemen. While agriculture provides the livelihood of nearly two-thirds of Yemenis, the country also relies heavily on imports of staple crops.

At the same time, service infrastructure has collapsed and government safety net programs have been suspended, handing an extra blow to millions of poor households.

Critical work in Yemen

In a very challenging field environment, FAO and partners have since 2014 been working to support local farmers and internally displaced people to strengthen their livelihoods by distributing crop production packages, home gardening kits and fisheries inputs. They have also provided vaccinated poultry and goats for backyard livestock production.

Additional animal vaccination drives and plant health campaigns have helped farmers protect their agricultural assets, such as livestock and trees, from disease and locust threats.

Since 2014, more than 90,000 people (13,450 families) have benefited from these FAO programs. Security conditions permitting, the Organization aims to reach nearly 235,000 people through its 2014-15 response plan for Yemen, but more funding is needed. Currently, only $4 million of the required $12 million have been made available for the livelihood programs.

“Even before fighting intensified this spring, Yemenis were in dire need of support to build up their agricultural production,” said Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, FAO Assistant Director-General for North Africa and the Near East. “The deteriorating situation means we need to double down on our efforts to ensure that as many farmers as possible are able to plant this growing season and strengthen their ability to withstand future shocks.”

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/283319/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/283319/icode/Wed, 15 Apr 2015 08:00:00 GMTEmergency cattle vaccination campaign underway along Syria-Lebanon border Concerns over the spread of high impact transboundary animal diseases are mounting in Lebanon and neighbouring countries as some of the 1.5 million refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria have brought with them large numbers of unvaccinated sheep, goats, cattle, and other animals.

9 April 2015, Rome - Concerns over the spread of high impact transboundary animal diseases are mounting in Lebanon and neighbouring countries as some of the 1.5 million refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria have brought with them large numbers of unvaccinated sheep, goats, cattle, and other animals, FAO warned today.

The Organization is now carrying out the second phase of a campaign to immunize as much of the country's livestock as possible, with a target of vaccinating all animals. This is, however, expected to be difficult to achieve because of the challenges in reaching some of the more remote areas and in gaining the confidence of the farmers and pastoralists residing there.

The project follows on from a successful initial vaccination programme last year which was credited with stopping any widespread animal disease outbreaks. Both phases received funding from the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID).

The vaccination campaign aims to cut down the numbers of animals becoming ill or dying due to preventable diseases and to protect vulnerable people living in rural areas. These communities are already seeing a strain on their natural resources because of the spill-over effects from the humanitarian crisis in Syria. As many as 70,000 cows and around 900,000 sheep and goats could be exposed to transboundary diseases if left untreated, according to Lebanon's Ministry for Agriculture.

"The most common problem we are having is animal fever," said one farmer in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley. "Some animals are dying. The viruses were affecting our income. This year the cattle got the vaccination so we hope the result will show in the near future," she added. The fever reported highlights the importance for every farmer to have access to good veterinary care and other animal health personnel.

"The idea is to reduce the risk of disease, and avoid drops in the productivity of the national herd," said Maurice Saade, FAO Representative in Lebonon. FAO estimates that almost 60 percent of livestock farmers in Lebanon depend on dairy animals as their main source of income.

Several animal diseases are highly contagious and can spread extremely rapidly, irrespective of national borders. They can cause high mortality and morbidity in animals, and so have serious socio-economic and sometimes public health consequences.

The three most prevalent animal diseases detected in Lebanon include lumpy skin disease, foot-and-mouth disease and peste des petits ruminants, also known as "goat plague", which is highly contagious and characterized by fever, mouth sores, diarrhoea, rapid weight loss, pneumonia and a high death rate in a short period of time.

Another step in the emergency plan is to provide a communication network that can directly connect different monitoring centres across the country to establish an early warning system, should any new diseases be detected.

Lebanon now has the highest per capita ratio of refugees in the world. They account for one-fourth of the population and their arrival has seen unemployment figures double.

The stress being placed on the country's natural resources and food production systems is particularly worrying, as up to 25 percent of Lebanon's active population is employed in agriculture. More people than ever before are therefore now in need of animal protein and milk.

FAO is appealing for $32 million in urgent funding for Lebanon as part of a wider regional appeal to assist residents and refugees in Iraq, Jordan and Turkey.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/282808/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/282808/icode/Thu, 09 Apr 2015 08:00:00 GMTFAO and government team up to restore food security in northern Mali The government of Mali and FAO have launched the implementation phase of a $5 million project aimed at restoring the livelihoods of households affected by the armed conflicts and climate change in the northern part of the country.

1 April 2015, Bamako/Rome - The government of Mali and FAO have launched the implementation phase of a $5 million project aimed at restoring the livelihoods of households affected by the armed conflicts and climate change in the northern part of the country.

The move was announced by Mali's Minister for Rural Development, Bokary Treta, and FAO-Director-General José Graziano da Silva during an official visit here.

Agriculture in parts of Mali, particularly the north, has been seriously affected in recent years by civil strife and related impacts such as labor shortages due to population displacements, lack of agricultural support services and fragmentation of markets. Although last season's rains have been good, in recent years erratic weather, dry spells, and flooding have exacerbated these problems.

This new project will seek to immediately restore production assets to families in the Gao, Mopti and Timbuktu regions. Activities will focus on assisting 25,000 households to restart food and horticultural production and providing 8,000 pastoralist families with feed and veterinary products for their cattle. Beneficiaries will also receive training in farming and nutritional good practices, with emphasis on the needs of women's groups engaged in horticulture.

"This work represents a contribution to Mali's peace process, because without security there cannot be food security and where there's food insecurity, conflicts often erupt," said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva.

"Our goal is to feed 16 million Malians," added Minister Treta. "FAO has always stood with Mali -- in hard times as well as now, when we are seeing real progress in reducing the numbers of the hungry," he said.

This project is part of a $100 million -World Bank Economic Recovery and Reconstruction Programme in Mali. FAO is implementing the agricultural component in the north of the country at the request of the government of Mali.

"The partnership between the World Bank and FAO is win-win, because it allows for FAO's technical know-how to be deployed to support the investments that Mali so very much needs," Graziano da Silva noted. Strategic framework for the Sahel

FAO is working with Mali and other countries in Africa's Sahel region to build the resilience of rural livelihoods and local food and nutrition security systems. FAO is working to combine humanitarian assistance and development actions in order to help the countries deal with threats and disasters that affect agriculture, food security and nutrition in a proactive and efficient way.

In 2015, under the United Nations Strategic Response Plan for the Sahel region, FAO launched an appeal for $116 million in support of 5.4 million people. The FAO's $ 15.4 million strategic response plan for Mali aims at improving the living conditions of about 400,000 people facing food insecurity and to ensure a sustainable return of the displaced persons and refugees in the best possible conditions, while supporting host communities.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/282268/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/282268/icode/Tue, 31 Mar 2015 22:00:00 GMTFAO appeals for $121 million to support livelihoods affected by Syria crisis Some $121 million are urgently needed to prevent further deterioration of the food security situation and the collapse of regional food chains amidst the ongoing crisis in Syria, which has severely disrupted agricultural production and trade and left some 9.8 million people food insecure.

30 March 2015, Rome – Some $121 million are urgently needed to prevent further deterioration of the food security situation and the collapse of regional food chains amidst the ongoing crisis in Syria, which has severely disrupted agricultural production and trade and left some 9.8 million people food insecure, FAO said today.

“We need to provide additional assistance to farmers to help them rebuild agricultural infrastructure and livelihoods, or we will see the food security situation continue to worsen,” said Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa.

Now in its fifth year, the Syria crisis has displaced more than 11 million people, of whom close to 4 million have fled to neighbouring Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Some 85 percent of these refugees have settled outside of camps – many in rural areas where agriculture is the livelihood of the poorest families.

In Syria itself, some 50 percent of livestock have been lost and the cereal harvest has dropped by half since the beginning of the crisis in 2011 due to conflict escalation and adverse weather.

Along with growing pressures on resources like water and land, the movement of people and livestock has also raised the risk of animal and plant diseases spreading across borders within and beyond the region. This is in part due to the collapse of the veterinary services in Syria, which has left thousands of animals unvaccinated.

Boosting agricultural production is essential to ensuring a steady food supply in Syria and the subregion, which has seen an increase in food prices that is particularly affecting the 75 percent of Syrians currently living in poverty.

Under these plans, FAO is seeking $59 million for its work in Syria to support the production of staple foods, improve families’ nutrition and income, protect their livestock, and improve the way that governments, aid agencies and communities coordinate to build food security. These funds will assist more than 1.5 million people.

Another $62 million are needed to help host communities in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey cope with the influx of refugees by making their agriculture more productive and sustainable. These measures include preventing animal and plant diseases, supporting backyard farming and developing value chains.

FAO’s work in Syria

These interventions build on FAO’s existing work across Syria, which has supported the livelihoods of close to a million Syrians since the start of the conflict in 2011.

In 2014, some 238,000 people received seeds that produced enough cereals to feed more than 420,000 people for a year. Another 24,500 people received vegetable packages that allow them to grow more nutritious foods, and some 45,000 hens which are expected to produce nearly 9 million eggs for families in Syria. Meanwhile, more than 1 million animals were treated for parasites and some 7,600 small livestock keepers received feed for their animals last year.

“Food production is the backbone of rural livelihoods,” said Laurent Thomas, FAO Assistant Director-General for Technical Cooperation. “However, farmers are facing enormous challenges and they need urgent support to protect Syria’s already tremendously damaged agricultural production. This is not only crucial for improving the lives of millions of people in Syria but for food security and stability in the region as a whole.”

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/282009/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/282009/icode/Sun, 29 Mar 2015 22:00:00 GMTCrisis–stricken farmers need urgent help to plant in the Central African Republic Farmers in the Central African Republic are in urgent need of seeds and tools for the upcoming planting season in April to prevent further deterioration of the livelihoods of vulnerable populations in the conflict-stricken country, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.

23 March 2015, Rome - Farmers in the Central African Republic are in urgent need of seeds and tools for the upcoming planting season in April to prevent further deterioration of the livelihoods of vulnerable populations in the conflict-stricken country, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.

Some 1.5 million people are currently food insecure in the country and this figure is likely to rise should immediate support not be provided. In addition, the significant food shortages across the country could worsen, population movements could result in increased tension, the return of displaced persons and refugees to their villages could be delayed and the costs of the overall emergency response could increase.

"The smooth implementation of the agriculture campaign activities is key to contribute to the decrease of political tensions, of which the main cause is extreme poverty. Agriculture remains the most important source of income for the majority of the population in the country", said Jean-Alexandre Scaglia, FAO Representative in the Central African Republic. "Ensuring planting during the upcoming season, along with longer-term resilience activities is an opportunity to contribute to peace efforts in the Central African Republic that should not be missed."

Overall agricultural production is currently still nearly 60 percent below the pre-crisis average and the lean season is expected to begin four months earlier than usual this year.

$6.2 million urgently needed

FAO and its Food Security Cluster partners have identified 150 000 crisis-affected households - farmers, returnees and host families - that had not received support and require immediate assistance.

FAO has already secured funding to assist 86 400 households, but it needs an additional $6.2 million to support the remaining 63 600 households for the upcoming main planting season starting in April. Each family will receive critically needed agricultural inputs such as seeds and farming tools to cultivate 0.5 ha of land, which will cover food needs for up to five months, reduce dependence on humanitarian assistance and stabilize their income.

Thanks to funding received in 2014, FAO and partners assisted over 140 000 households and managed to contain a major food crisis in the Central African Republic.

The 2015 agricultural campaign has been planned within the framework of the Food Security Cluster. FAO's distributions of agricultural inputs are carried out in close collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development and partner NGOs as well as the World Food Programme for the distribution of food rations to avoid seed consumption. The Food Security Cluster, co-led by FAO and WFP, brings together around 70 organizations jointly working on food security strategy, information management, coordination of interventions and identification of priorities.

In 2015, FAO is implementing a $42 million programme in the Central African Republic to respond to the immediate needs of the population, building the resilience of 90 000 rural households through an integrated community-centred approach.

20 March 2015, Rome -- Strong winds, heavy rains and floods resulting from Tropical Cyclone Pam have caused extensive damage to agriculture throughout Vanuatu, including the main food and export crops, livestock, and fisheries infrastructure, FAO said today.

According to initial rapid assessments that the Vanuatu government led in four provinces, the banana crop throughout the country has been almost entirely destroyed, as havemost coconuts and all of the inland cabbage plants and leafy vegetables. Root crops, which are an important local food source, have been uprooted and flooded in most areas, while the majority of fruit trees have been stripped and chickens and pigs have been killed.

In addition to the destruction of crops, existing food and seed stocks have also been destroyed by the cyclone, eliminating a vital source of food and income for families and increasing the needs for imports. The initial assessments also indicate destruction of fishing boats and gear.

With most of the household stocks and garden production lost, farmers risk to be without locally produced food by the end of March until at least mid-June when the first harvest from replanted fast-growing food crops could be available provided replanting starts immediately.

In the urban areas, imported rice and wheat are the main staples, but rural areas rely heavily on locally produced crops grown year-round and are expected to be affected most.

Lingering debris and stagnant water is meanwhile increasing the risk of pests and diseases.

FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva, underlined FAO’s readiness and commitment to work closely together with the government of Vanuatu to “help rebuild people’s lives and livelihoods, particularly in the rural areas.”

“Supporting Vanuatu after the disastrous cyclone begins with emergency agricultural assistance that FAO will provide together with the Government of Vanuatu and other partners but can only end when full recovery is achieved and Vanuatu has increased its resilience to extreme weather events that are bound to occur again,” da Silva said.

Agriculture key to livelihoods

Assessing the full scale of damages and needs on Vanuatu’s more than 80 islands remains a challenge due to lack of functional communications and limited access following the destruction caused by cyclone Pam.

Around 99 percent of households on the outer islands are dependent upon agricultural production to meet their consumption and income needs, whilst even in the capital city of Port Vila, around 75 percent of households consume their own produce.

Livestock production represents another significant contribution to GDP, with exports to Japan and other Pacific Island countries.

“This underlines the fundamental importance of agriculture and fisheries to the livelihoods of communities and the impact Pam will have on the food security of the affected population,” said Gavin Wall, FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific.

“We know that Vanuatu communities have long-standing traditional coping mechanisms to address immediate food needs and resume their agricultural production. FAO must ensure its interventions support their work and address the long-term rehabilitation of the agriculture sector.”

Replanting now

As an immediate intervention, urgent international assistance is needed for seeds, farming equipment and technical expertise to help the disaster-struck Pacific Island nation rebuild.

The government of Vanuatu has requested support from FAO to help the agriculture sector get back on its feet.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is urging farmers to use still available materials to begin replanting immediately to ensure food security for future months.

All farmers must act very quickly to save planting materials and start planting anywhere they can, first using materials that will otherwise rot quickly like kumala vines and banana suckers, followed by the less perishable materials like manioc.

In addition to emergency planting of new crops, all communities must immediately begin preserving or storing any available foods using traditional or modern methods like drying, salting, slow cooking meat, and burying root crops in the sand.

FAO is working with the Vanuatu Food Security and Agriculture Cluster which is leading an integrated response by NGOs, UN agencies, government and donors to safeguard food security throughout the country.

Agriculture bears the brunt

Pam hit Vanuatu while UN experts were meeting in Japan to discuss disaster risk reduction measures. In a report published at the meeting FAO said that agriculture in developing countries bears the brunt of natural disasters. Over a 10-year period from 2003 to 2013, the agriculture sector suffered some $70 billion in damages to crops and livestock – some 22 percent of the damages inflicted by natural hazards such as drought, floods storms or tsunamis.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/281168/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/281168/icode/Fri, 20 Mar 2015 10:00:00 GMTFAO boosts food security efforts in countries affected by Syria crisis FAO is scaling up its support to Jordan and other countries in the region affected by the humanitarian crisis in Syria that has entered its fifth year.

17 March 2015,Rome/Amman – FAO is scaling up its support to Jordan and other countries in the region affected by the humanitarian crisis in Syria that has entered its fifth year.

In the presence of Jordan’s agricultural minister, Akef Alzoubi, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva initiated three projects to improve food security and nutrition by making better data available to decision-makers and preventing the spread of animal diseases across borders.

“Thanks to a $1.6 million grant from USAID’s Food For Peace (FFP) program, FAO will provide technical assistance to government institutions and other partners in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq to establish an inclusive food security information network that will enhance the understanding and analysis of food security issues in the region,” da Silva said during a visit to Jordan.

According to the UN, around 3.9 million people have fled Syria, the vast majority becoming refugees in neighbouring countries.

Better data for strategic action

By improving analysis and data sharing between UN agencies, NGOs and governments on food security, the new information network will allow better-informed interventions for vulnerable populations and ensure that the limited resources are applied where they are needed most.

“Resources for responding to the Syria crisis are limited in relation to the needs, so it’s crucial for UN agencies and partners to strategically target their assistance, taking into account the severity, scale and underlying causes of vulnerability,” said FAO’s Representative in Jordan Nasredin Hag Elamin.

“Having timely food security information is essential to guide this effort and will help relief and resilience agencies make sound decisions on the types of actions needed to support the affected Syrian population and neighbouring countries that host refugees,” he added.

Complementing this larger effort is a half-million-dollar project funded through FAO’s Technical Cooperation Program (TCP) to help national institutions in Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq better respond to food security concerns and strengthen communities’ resilience to shocks. The FAO Director-General and the government of Jordan signed an agreement that aims to improve availability and sharing of livelihood data and increase the capacities of partner countries for early warning about threats to food security.

Syria, Lebanon and Iraq were facing significant challenges in the fight against hunger and malnutrition even prior to the crisis in Syria. The ongoing conflict has raised additional challenges for these neighboring countries to reach important Millennium Development Goals related to nutrition, food security, access to water and sanitation, as well as child and maternal mortality.

Early warning to contain animal diseases

The collapse of public veterinary services in Syria is posing additional threats as an increased number of livestock have been crossing into neighboring countries and potentially spreading animal diseases. To contain the spread of animal diseases across borders FAO and the government of Jordan have agreed to support local governments and veterinary laboratories in increasing early detection and disease control, while also assessing the socio-economic impact of these diseases on pastoralist communities across Jordan.

“Livestock is the primary livelihood for Jordan’s many pastoralist communities and a source of nutrition to the country as a whole. Being able to intervene early to protect herds from diseases is therefore a key part of protecting food security in this time of crisis,” said Hag Elamin.

Supporting hard-hit communities in the north

Jordanian households and Syrian refugees living in Northern Jordan have been affected the most by the Syria crisis in terms of food security and nutrition.

Through a recently approved $0.5 million grant from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), FAO, in collaboration with the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture, will launch a pilot project supporting the most vulnerable in these communities with the introduction of micro-gardens and in-depth nutrition training.

The goal is to improve the communities’ intake of micro-nutrients by increasing access to safe and nutritious foods and promoting nutrition-friendly cooking.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/280576/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/280576/icode/Tue, 17 Mar 2015 01:00:00 GMTAgriculture bears major brunt of disaster impacts, new report says Nearly a quarter of damages wrought by natural disasters on the developing world are borne by agriculture according to initial results from a new FAO study released at the UN World Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction.

17 March 2015, Sendai, Japan - Nearly a quarter of damages wrought by natural disasters on the developing world are borne by the agricultural sector according to initial results from a new FAO study released here today at the UN World Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The Organization also announced the launch of a special facility aimed at helping countries better equip their food production sectors to reduce risk exposure, limit impacts, and be better prepared to cope with disasters.

Twenty-two percent of all damages inflicted by natural hazards such as drought, floods storms or tsunamis are registered within the agriculture sector, FAO's analysis of 78 post-disaster needs assessments in 48 developing countries spanning the 2003-2013 period shows.

These damages and losses are often incurred by poor rural and semi-rural communities without insurance and lacking the financial resources needed to regain lost livelihoods. Yet only 4.5 percent of post-disaster humanitarian aid in the 2003-2013 period targeted agriculture.

FAO's 22 percent figure represents only damages reported via post-disaster risk assessments, so while indicative of scale, the actual impact is likely even higher. To arrive at a closer estimate of the true financial cost of disasters to developing world agriculture FAO compared decreases in yields during and after disasters with yield trends in 67 countries affected by (at least one) medium- to larger-scale events between 2003 and 2013.

The final tally: $70 billion in damages to crops and livestock over that 10 year period.

Asia was the most affected region, with estimated losses adding up to $28 billion, followed by Africa at $26 billion.

"Agriculture and all that it encompasses is not only critical for our food supply, it also remains a main source of livelihoods across the planet. While it is a sector at risk, agriculture also can be the foundation upon which we build societies that are more resilient and better equipped to deal with disasters," said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva.

"This is why building resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises is one of FAO's top priorities," he added.

New facility for disaster risk reduction in agriculture

To help countries better prepare for and respond to disasters affecting agriculture, FAO today launched a new facility aimed at channeling technical support to where it is most needed. The facility will work to mainstream disaster risk reduction in agriculture at all levels through diverse activities.

"With this new effort, we are aiming to limit peoples' exposure to risks, avoid or reduce impacts where possible, and enhance preparedness to respond quickly when disasters occur," said Graziano da Silva.

Studies have shown that for every one dollar spent on disaster risk reduction, as much as four dollars are returned in terms of avoided or diminished impacts, he noted.

The work of the new facility will be guided by FAO's Framework Programme on Disaster Risk Reduction for Food and Nutrition Security.

Agriculture remains a key sector

Worldwide, the livelihoods of 2.5 billion people depend on agriculture. These small-scale farmers, herders, fishers and forest-dependent communities generate more than half of global agricultural production and are particularly at risk from disasters that destroy or damage harvests, equipment, supplies, livestock, seeds, crops and stored food.

Beyond the obvious consequences on peoples' food security, the economies and development trajectories of entire regions and nations can be altered when disasters hit agriculture. The sector accounts for as much as 30 percent of national GDP in countries like Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, the Niger, among others.

There are also spill-over losses in agriculture-dependent subsectors, and significant consequences for trade flows. Countries surveyed experienced an increase in agriculture imports to the tune of $18.9 billion and a decrease in agriculture exports of $14.9 billion following natural disasters, between 2003 and 2013.

Key facts

From FAO's analysis of damages reported via needs assessments

Based only on damages reported in 78 post-disaster risk assessments in 48 countries covering the 2003-2013 period, losses of $140 billion were registered by all economic sectors - $30 billion of these were to agriculture (crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries).

When droughts occur, agriculture absorbs up to 84 percent of all economic impacts.

Within the agricultural sector, 42 percent of assessed losses were to crops ($13 billion) - with floods the main culprit responsible for 60 percent of crop damages followed by storms (23 percent of crop damages).

Livestock is the second most affected subsector after crops, accounting for 36 percent of all damage and losses, for a total of $11 billion during the 2003-2013 period.

Out of the 78 disasters assessed, 45 involved impacts to the fisheries subsector ($1.7 billion, or 6 percent all damages born by the agricultural sector). The lion's share - 70 percent - was caused by tsunamis, typically infrequent events. Storms such as hurricanes and typhoons account for roughly 16 percent of the economic impact on fisheries, followed by floods (10 percent).

The forestry sector incurred $737 million in damages and losses, representing 2.4 percent of the total for the agricultural sector.

From FAO's expanded analysis

FAO also compared decreases in yields during and after disasters with typical yield trends in 67 different countries affected by at least one medium- to larger-scale event between 2003 and 2013, in an expanded analysis, in order to arrive at a closer estimate of financial costs.

Based on this expanded analysis, losses and damages to crops and livestock over that period are estimated to total $70 billion. Data gaps mean the total is likely higher still.

82% of production losses were caused by drought (44 percent) and floods (39 percent).

Asia was the most affected region, with estimated losses adding up to $28 billion, followed by Africa at $26 billion.

In Africa, between 2003 and 2013 there were 61 drought years in Sub-Saharan Africa affecting 27 countries and 150 million people. FAO estimates that 77 percent of all agricultural production losses suffered worldwide due to drought occurred in those 27 Sub-Saharan countries, with losses adding up to $23.5 billion.

]]>
FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/280526/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/280526/icode/Tue, 17 Mar 2015 00:00:00 GMTFAO provides urgent assistance to drought-stricken Cape Verde The agreement is for $500,000 for urgent assistance to the Republic of Cabo Verde. The emergency intervention aims to assist 8,237 rural households which are most vulnerable to the impact of drought - Cabo Verde experienced 65 percent less rain in 2014 compared to the previous year.

18 February 2015, Rome - FAO will provide food crop seeds, animal feed and drip irrigation equipment to help thousands of people in Cape Verde whose food security and livelihoods are at risk following a sharp fall in crop production due to drought.

An agreement for $500,000 for urgent assistance to the Republic of Cabo Verde has been signed by the country's Prime Minister, José Maria Pereira Neves, and FAO's Director-General, José Graziano da Silva, during a meeting in Rome.

"This is an extremely important agreement that will not only allow us to face the current drought, but also help to create conditions to build a sustainable agriculture in Cabo Verde," Pereira Neves said.

The emergency intervention aims to assist 8,237 rural households which are most vulnerable to the impact of drought - Cabo Verde experienced 65 percent less rain in 2014 compared to the previous year.

Estimates from a FAO assessment mission carried out last month indicated the output from maize crop at some 1,000 tonnes. This represents the lowest level of production ever recorded in the country, and one which follows a steep downward trend over the last few years.

Immediate intervention

Some 30,000 people need urgent assistance, with many of the most vulnerable households having lost all or a large part of their cereal crops in eight of the most affected islands in Cabo Verde.

As part of FAO's intervention, 7, 015households will receive a 17 kilogram kit containing, maize, beans and cowpea seeds.

In addition, 554 households whose irrigation-based agricultural activities have been severely disrupted by the drought are to receive tomato, cabbage and onion seeds as part the emergency assistance effort.

Building on previous experience aimed at improving the use of Cabo Verde's scarce water resources, and with a view to strengthen resilience capacities, drip-irrigation kits will be distributed

Considering that the production of livestock fodder was also found to be very seriously affected by the low rain levels, putting thousands of animals at risk, emergency distribution of animal feed will also be provided to 668 livestock breeding households.

Cabo Verde is highly dependent on cereal imports, especially for rice and wheat, which are not grown in the country. Approximately 80 percent of the national cereal requirements are imported.

However, the sharp decline in production will have a negative impact on farmers' income and access to food.

In line with one of its strategic objectives, FAO is committed to building the resilience of agricultural systems and agriculture-dependent livelihoods to threats and crises. Making agriculture production less dependent on highly variable and unpredictable rainfalls is particularly crucial in an effort to build resilience in Cabo Verde.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/278021/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/278021/icode/Tue, 17 Feb 2015 23:00:00 GMTEbola-ravaged rural communities in Guinea to benefit from new food security initiatives The funding is a much needed contribution towards building the resilience of communities whose already precarious situation of chronic food insecurity has been exacerbated by Ebola-related disruptions to farm labour, agricultural production and food markets.

17 February 2015, Rome/Conakry - Tens of thousands of people in rural areas of Guinea worst-hit by the Ebola epidemic will receive training on how to prevent the spread of the disease and support in producing food and generating income, through an agreement involving the World Bank, the country's government, and FAO.

As part of the initiative, $5 million will be invested in FAO's Ebola Response Programme which aims to assist rural households whose livelihoods and access to food are severely threatened by the impact of Ebola.

"The funding is a much needed contribution towards building the resilience of communities whose already precarious situation of chronic food insecurity has been exacerbated by Ebola-related disruptions to farm labour, agricultural production and food markets," said Bukar Tijani, FAO Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative for Africa.

Targeted actions

The project envisages a social mobilization campaign in which a total of 30,000 households will be sensitized on measures to counter the transmission of the disease in rural areas. Experienced rural development and extension field workers will undertake awareness activities combined with the provision of hygiene kits to rural communities.

In addition, some 15,500 vulnerable families will benefit from interventions aimed at safeguarding their livelihoods, including the provision of improved seeds, fertilizers and farming equipment in time for the crucial, upcoming vegetable and cereal planting seasons. The project will also focus on empowering farmers with technical knowledge and skills through farmer field schools.

Beneficiaries include hunters and women who used to sell bush meat but lost this source of income after authorities banned this trade in order to reduce the potential risk of exposure to Ebola through contact with wildlife. The programme will also target women groups involved in rice-processing activities.

Job opportunities will also be offered to 2,000 young workers through a cash-for-work approach.

The effort to revive the rural economy also envisages the contracting of local seed suppliers including those involved in the World Bank-funded West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP) for certified rice seed.

"We believe that these activities will be key to restore and protect the livelihoods of affected communities and to avoid long-lasting consequences on rural economies, said Isaias Obama, FAO Representative in Guinea.

In 2015, FAO is calling for $42.5 million to scale up its contribution to the fight against Ebola and to provide immediate assistance to nearly 170,000 farming households most affected by the outbreak across West Africa.

Thanks to the funds mobilized so far - more than $10 million (out of which $1.5 million have been granted by the Africa Solidarity Trust Fund) - FAO will be able to provide immediate assistance to 66,000 households and 200 women's associations in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. However, more funding is urgently needed to reach out to vulnerable rural communities whose life and livelihoods are threatened by the epidemics.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/277294/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/277294/icode/Mon, 16 Feb 2015 23:00:00 GMTFood crisis escalates in South Sudan A staggering 2.5 million people – about one-fifth of the population – remain in either Crisis or Emergency level food insecurity as fighting continues in South Sudan, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, released this week.

06 February 2015, Juba - A staggering 2.5 million people – about one-fifth of the population – remain in either Crisis or Emergency level food insecurity as fighting continues in South Sudan, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, released this week.

This is more than double the number of people who were experiencing this level of food insecurity in December 2013, when the current conflict broke out, bringing the country once again to the brink of a major hunger crisis.

An additional 3.9 million people are in a state of food security Stress, according to the report, some of whom are likely to slip into Crisis and Emergency if livelihood support, security and markets fail.

“Missed crop cycles in conflict-ravaged parts of the country mean we’re now expecting household food stocks in the worst-affected counties to run out by March 2015 – much earlier than in a normal year,” said FAO Country Representative in South Sudan Sue Lautze.

According to seasonal patterns, the food crisis is expected to deepen and the risk of a dramatic deterioration will be greatest between April and July this year, when the lean season reaches its peak, she added.

States without active conflict ­– Warrap, Lakes, Western and Northern Bahr-el Ghazal, and Western, Central, and Eastern Equatoria – have great potential to produce enough food to sustain the rest of the country, but a lack of infrastructure, inputs and technology are among a myriad of factors that currently limit productivity.

Stepping up support now

“We have to continue to invest on two tracks: one, provide humanitarian aid to prevent the most affected areas from sliding into greater crisis and, two, boost food production and local economies in the more stable areas, so they can support recovery in other parts of the country,” according to Lautze.

FAO is urgently seeking an additional $32 million to maintain and expand its current operations in South Sudan, as well as to procure supplies needed for the coming year.

In the past year, FAO has already reached over 3.2 million people (538 000 households) with more than 570 000 emergency livelihood kits through its Emergency Livelihood Response Programme. The kits contain portable, essential inputs, including vegetable seeds, crop seeds and tools, animal health equipment and fishing inputs that have been reaching affected communities by truck and airdrop.

At the same time FAO continues to work on building resilient livelihoods and food systems by supporting local food production, access and trade.

Interrupted production, looming crisis

As conflict rages in the northern states of Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile, up to 80 percent of people in these areas were unable to cultivate crops during the last agricultural season.

The coordinated, large-scale efforts of a wide network of agencies, donors and partners, including FAO, have been crucial in preventing 12 conflict-affected states from deteriorating from Crisis to Emergency levels of food insecurity. Food security and livelihoods in these areas depend heavily on the ability of humanitarian agencies and partners to deliver planned interventions, and continued support is essential.

Counties on the frontlines of violent conflict remain in Emergency phase, with humanitarian agencies struggling to make robust assistance plans amidst uncertain access to affected areas. Without better access, FAO fears affected communities could be trapped in Emergency conditions until the next harvest, starting in August 2015.

Building resilience, feeding the country

Some states affected by inter-communal violence and cattle raiding, including Warrap and Lakes, have seen their food security worsen since December 2014, as communities there struggle to feed displaced populations – the majority of counties in these states are now classified as Crisis level.

In these areas, resilience-building interventions are urgently needed to build skills, protect productive assets, generate income and expand access to markets in order to prevent communities from sliding further into food insecurity.

“When I visited South Sudan last month, it was clear just how resilient local populations are, even when facing extremely difficult circumstances. Producers in South Sudan are able to feed their country and alleviate the current crisis, but they need our support now,” said Dominique Burgeon, Director of FAO’s Emergency and Rehabilitation Division.

“The dry season offers a unique opportunity to implement programs that strengthen livelihoods, as travel to most areas by road is possible and opportunities to partner with other organizations are greater,” Burgeon said.

Up-to-date information

FAO continues to provide crucial food security information, analysis and coordination in South Sudan as a leading partner in the IPC process and co-lead of the Food Security and Livelihoods Cluster. The latest IPC report endorsed by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan can be found at http://www.ipcinfo.org/. The next comprehensive IPC analysis for South Sudan will be completed in April 2015.

More than 170,000 people have had to leave their homes. Some 79 deaths have been confirmed so far, while 153 people are still missing in Nsanje district alone. An estimated 116,000 households have lost their crops and livestock.

Malawi is regularly affected by droughts and floods. But the current heavy rains have come ahead of their usual schedule - repeatedly bursting the banks along the Shire and Ruo rivers - and their impact has been far wider.

Warnings of flash floods remain active as moderate to heavy rains are expected in the country's northern regions. It is estimated that more than 63,000 hectares of land is under water, including 35,000 hectares of crop land, and a state of emergency has been declared for 15 of Malawi's 28 districts. The the most affected districts are Chikwawa, Nsanje and Phalombe.

Untold numbers of goats and chickens have perished where waters rose with unexpected speed, raising the risk of livestock disease outbreaks.

$16 million plan to save the farming season

The government's response plan includes a $16 million budget for agricultural needs to put affected farmers back on track to plant and harvest food during this agricultural season. For some fields, crops could be ready as early as June, thus mitigating the need to rely on long-term humanitarian programs.

FAO aims to work closely with the Malawi Government to supply them with short-cycle varieties of maize, rice, sweet potato, cowpeas, vegetable seeds and cassava cuttings for replanting as soon as feasible. At the same time, local families need new livestock to ensure animal protein intake, and irrigation facilities should be restored before the dry season to ensure food production.

"Failure to respond promptly will have lasting consequences," said Florence Rolle, FAO Representative to Malawi.

"Flood-hit families risk harvesting nothing or very little this year, leaving them food insecure at the very outset of the agricultural season and undermining much of the progress being made in reducing food insecurity in Malawi." she said.

Long-term watershed management needed to tackle recurrent crises

Some 86 percent of Malawi's population live in rural areas and engage in farming and rearing livestock. Average yields on crops in the country have for decades been half that recorded for southern Africa as a whole.

The nation enjoyed a bumper maize harvest in 2014 and overall cereal production rose by 8 percent, leading to lower core food prices and cutting by more than half the number of people assessed as food insecure. However, last year's crop had been weak in the districts most affected by the current flooding, prompting local food-security alerts and causing Malawi to be added in October 2014 to the list of countries requiring external assistance for food.

Malawi's districts are regularly hit by floods and droughts, requiring emergency responses of varying size each year. The frequency and magnitude of the recurrent disasters are worsened by deforestation, population pressure and widespread poverty.

Long-term watershed management infrastructures are urgently needed so that even intense flooding is less damaging than this year.

Building resilience

FAO has been working closely with the Government and other partners in Malawi to build more resilient livelihoods and reduce exposure to risks such as floods and dry spells.

Last year FAO, together with UNDP, UNICEF and WFP, started piloting an integrated approach to resilience integrating nutrition education, climate smart agricultural practices, saving and loans and disaster risk reduction in the district of Phalombe which has been severaly hit by the current floods. This project is supporting the Government of Malawi's national social protection support strategy and programme.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/275944/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/275944/icode/Tue, 27 Jan 2015 23:00:00 GMTFunds are running out in battle against Madagascar’s locusts Some $10.6 million is needed to complete the joint 2013-16 FAO/government anti-locust programme in Madagascar, including monitoring and spraying operations going through the end of the rainy season in May 2015. Failure to carry through the programme would annul the more than $28.8 million mobilized so far and could trigger a food-security crisis in a huge part of the country.

21 January 2015, Rome - In Madagascar, the battle against an ongoing plague of locusts risks being lost as funds to continue operations to subdue widespread infestations of the crop-hungry insects run out, posing a serious food security challenge for 13 million people.

Failure to carry through the joint 2013-16 FAO/government anti-locust programme would annul the more than $28.8 million mobilized so far and could trigger a food-security crisis in a huge part of the country

Some $10.6 million is needed to complete the locust programme, including monitoring and spraying operations going through the end of the rainy season in May 2015.

The locust plague that started spreading across Madagascar in 2012 was successfully halted last year but the risks of relapse are high during the rainy season, which provides ideal breeding conditions for the pests.

"Taking action now is critical to ensure the significant efforts made so far, financially and technically, are built upon rather than lost," said Dominique Burgeon, Director of FAO's Emergency and Rehabilitation Division.

"The current campaign is essential to reinforce the decline of the current plague, avoiding any relapse, and then continue towards a full-fledged locust recession," he added.

"The costs that will result from ceasing locust control activities will be far greater than the amount spent so far, so it is critical for the international community stay the course and complete the Locust Emergency Response Programme," said Patrice Takoukam Talla, FAO's Representative in Madagascar.

No time to waste to combat wingless hoppers

The first quarter of the year is especially critical as it corresponds to the second generation of breeding and to the formation of wingless "hopper" locust bands.

It is easier to combat hoppers, which are more sensitive to the pesticides and move more slowly than winged adults. As control operations have already been successfully carried out for one year, the hoppers are likely to form smaller groups, which however makes them harder to find and requires more ground and aerial surveys.

Biologically, even a short two-month interruption in monitoring and spraying operations could significantly erase much of the progress made so far.

Food production sharply down in southern regions

As much as 40 percent of crops in southern Madagascar are at risk from the locust crises in combination with the droughts and cyclones to which the island nation is prone, according to FAO.

More than three-fourths of the population in the Atsimo Andrefana and Androy regions, where maize and cassava production have declined sharply and rice output remains well below trend, currently face food insecurity, up notably from a year earlier.

Successful program

FAO, working with the government, designed a three-year $39.4 million programme starting in 2013 that has already surveyed more than 30 million hectares - an area almost as large as Japan - and controlled locust infestations over more than 1.3 million hectares with pesticides and biopesticides, all without triggering any major impact on human health and the environment.

FAO's has also invested resources in training personnel so that Madagascar has national capacity to monitor and combat the insects

The resources raised so far in support of this effort have come from the governments of Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Japan, Madagascar through a World Bank loan, Norway and the United States of America as well the European Union, the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund and the International Fund for Agriculture Development. Algeria, Mauritania and Morocco also donated pesticides.

31 December 2014 –As South Sudan’s livestock owners have fled the ongoing conflict, millions of animals have been displaced, leading to fresh outbreaks of disease and rising tensions between pastoral groups and farmers, as well as within different pastoralist communities.

FAO and its partners are leading efforts to combat disease outbreaks and maintain the animal health care system. In recent months, teams of FAO livestock experts have traversed South Sudan, conducting dozens of assessments, disease investigations and monitoring missions.

Working with host communities and pastoralists, FAO’s teams have flagged worrying new animal disease patterns, intensifying violence over access to land for grazing and worsening livestock conditions.

Livestock play a crucial role in South Sudanese society, representing far more than just an important source of food, usually in the form of milk. Cattle, in particular, are symbols of wealth and status. They are the main asset for herders – sold for cash, bartered for grain, given for dowry and only rarely, for special celebrations or in times of extreme duress, are they slaughtered for meat.

Both herders and farmers face a rising threat of armed conflict. Farmers have cut the amount of land they are planting by as much as 40 percent in areas such as Renk County, and the prices of basic staple foods are as much as four times higher in the most conflict-affected areas, according to a FAO report released in December.

While tribal conflicts and cattle raids are not uncommon in South Sudan, the increased movement of livestock along unusual migratory routes in order to flee or avoid violence, particularly agricultural areas, has created tensions with farming communities, often leading to violence. These dynamics are seriously undermining social stability, including in areas of the country less affected by the wider political conflict that began in December 2013.

As animals have been moved, diseases have spread to previously uninfected areas. Diseases like East Coast Fever, foot-and-mouth disease and trypanosomiasis devastate cattle production and threaten the food security and livelihoods of pastoral communities across the country.

Declines in milk production and the loss of cattle to disease increase the risk of malnutrition, particularly among children and pregnant and breastfeeding women who rely on milk as an essential part of their diet. For most herders, the loss of cattle means the loss of their entire livelihood.

“From the earliest days of the crisis, FAO has done its utmost to draw attention to the silent emergency that these unusual livestock migrations represent”, according to Dr Sue Lautze, FAO Representative to South Sudan.

FAO is scaling up its livestock interventions in the country, focusing on strengthening and decentralizing the cold chain system for livestock vaccines, expanding the community-based animal health network and vaccination programme, deploying its own staff to lead and support disease surveillance efforts, and helping to re-establish local laboratories for livestock disease diagnosis. It is also implementing a new milk voucher scheme for nutritionally at risk families.

FAO promotes a dual-track approach in South Sudan that responds to the immediate needs of crisis-affected populations while increasing food production in less-affected areas.

In 2014, FAO’s humanitarian programme in the country reached over 2.8 million people through a combination of crop production, fisheries and animal health interventions, including vaccinating over 1.6 million animals. For 2015, FAO is seeking USD 89 million to improve the food security of 2.35 million vulnerable people in South Sudan while further expanding its development efforts.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/273819/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/273819/icode/Wed, 31 Dec 2014 09:00:00 GMTTen years after Asian tsunami, the region is better prepared to cope with disasters Ten years after the world's worst natural disaster in living memory roared across the shorelines of South and Southeast Asia, countries in the region are better prepared to deal with tragedies like the Indian Ocean Tsunami, but there is still room for improvement.

22 December 2014, Bangkok/Rome - Ten years after the world's worst natural disaster in living memory roared across the shorelines of South and Southeast Asia, countries in the region are better prepared to deal with tragedies like the Indian Ocean Tsunami, but there is still room for improvement, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.

In December 2004 the tsunami claimed the lives of more than two-hundred thousand people and left the livelihoods of some 1.4 million survivors in tatters, when it damaged or destroyed fields, fish ponds, boats, fishing gear and livestock upon which entire food production systems depended.

In many cases, entire fishing communities were obliterated - as was coastal agriculture - the tsunami's powerful waves smashed fishing boats and even tossed large trawlers far inland, set to rest where animals once grazed and rice and vegetables had grown.

"A decade later, while events marking the remembrance of the tsunami recall the human tragedy, FAO examines the lessons learned in mitigating damage to agricultural livelihoods, food security and nutrition wrought by such natural and climatic events," said Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific.

"What we and our member countries have learned and now see in place is impressive, but there is still more that can and should be done to prevent and mitigate disasters," he added.

Asia-Pacific region most vulnerable to natural and climate-induced disasters

During the ten year period from 2003 to 2013, some 200 million people in Asia and the Pacific were affected each year by natural disasters ranging from the 2004 tsunami to cyclones, floods and typhoons. During roughly the same period (2001 - 2010), the cost of these disasters for the region averaged $34 billion each year.

While some member countries worst affected by the Indian Ocean Tsunami are now better prepared for disasters before they strike and better positioned to respond after they do, a recent FAO-sponsored workshop with ASEAN members stressed additional actions that are needed to further increase resilience to disasters.

The workshop concluded that the effects of rapid population increases and urbanization, coupled with an eroded natural resource base and climate change, mean climate-induced events pose the highest risk for the ASEAN region.

Among its recommendations, the workshop called for the greater involvement of all sectors of agriculture, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry - especially key critical productive sectors in which progress must be bold - in building pro-active national and regional policy processes for disaster risk reduction and management (DRR/M). A clear financial commitment is needed to promote capacity development in DRR/M in the various sector's line agencies.

Improved data disaggregation on sectors and livelihoods affected and better risk assessments and monitoring should be made a priority. The workshop also urged countries to go beyond natural hazards when addressing risk exposure and vulnerabilities of farmers, fishers and forest dependent communities, and consider other threats like degradation of environmental and marine ecosystems degradation. The transfer of risk reduction knowledge and technology to local level is required to empower those most vulnerable and most at risk.

Much has been learned - and implemented

Prior to the tsunami, actions by countries were reactive rather than proactive, with a focus on life-saving, then recovery. Since then, there has been a paradigm shift toward the equal importance of anticipative, multi-hazard risk reduction with prevention and mitigation of natural disasters given equal importance.

Early disaster warning systems and clearly marked tsunami evacuation routes are evident in some countries such as Thailand which, following the tsunami, established the Department of National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

"It's clear that many countries in the region are now better prepared to reduce the risks and mitigate the damage of natural disasters such as tsunami and typhoons and protect their agriculture and food systems," said Konuma. "The most recent example is Typhoon Hagupit that struck the Philippines earlier this month, where the authorities' early warnings to farmers and fishers to take pre-emptive action helped ensure that the damage would be far less severe than a year earlier when Typhoon Haiyan ripped through the centre of the country."

Other countries in the ASEAN region have taken action on disaster risk reduction and disaster risk mitigation. In the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, flood protection dykes have been built and there is a nationwide early warning system for flooding. In 2010, the Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic issued a Decree on the National Strategy on Climate Change. In Viet Nam, a law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has been passed and in 2007 a national strategy for natural disaster prevention, response and mitigation was developed.

FAO's responses

Like other organizations, FAO was quick to respond to the needs of affected countries following the 2004 tsunami. Thanks to the generous contribution of its resource partners, FAO implemented a large emergency and recovery response programme to support the government of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Maldives, Myanmar, Seychelles and Somalia.

FAO's technical expertise focused on protecting, restoring and enhancing the agriculture-fisheries-based livelihoods of the affected coastal communities. This support primarily targeted the replacement of lost assets while at the same time promoting the wise use of natural resources, helping to avoid restoring the pre-tsunami overfishing capacity in Aceh-Indonesia and in Sri-Lanka, and further depletion of the fish stock.

In the Maldives, FAO worked with local authorities to help islanders recover from salt-water contaminated soil that killed many fruit trees - while fish and coconuts were still available, this loss of fruit was a serious threat to nutrition.

FAO, together with its partners, helped fishers and farmers to rebuild their livelihoods better than before, strengthening both their resilience and the local economies.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/273284/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/273284/icode/Sun, 21 Dec 2014 23:00:00 GMT2014 seen as record year for world cereal production Latest indications confirm that world cereal production will reach an all-time record of more than 2.5 billion tonnes in 2014, according to FAO's latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation Report. However, the report also warns that food insecurity is worsening in a number of countries due to civil conflicts, adverse weather and the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak.

11 December 2014, Rome - Latest indications confirm that world cereal production will reach an all-time record of more than 2.5 billion tonnes in 2014.

Buoyed by bumper crops in Europe and a record maize output in the United States of America, this year's cereal output should reach 2.532 billion tonnes, including rice in milled terms, or 0.3% higher than 2013, according to FAO's latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation Report.

The record global cereal harvest in 2014 will outpace projected world cereal utilization in 2014/15, allowing stocks to rise to their highest level since 2000 and pushing the worldwide stock-to-use ratio, a proxy measure for supply conditions, to rise to 25.2 percent, its highest level in 13 years, according to FAO.

However, the report also warns that food insecurity is worsening in a number of countries due to civil conflicts, adverse weather and the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak. Some 38 countries are at risk of food insecurity, including 29 in Africa, 3 more countries than reported in October.

EVD triggered one of the biggest shocks to West Africa's agriculture and food sectors, as it started to spread when crops were being planted and expanded throughout the farming cycle, especially in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. FAO warned that local rice prices and those for cassava, the region's second staple food, showed notable increases in Freetown and other cities in September.

Adverse weather in the Sahel region is also expected to result in a sharply reduced harvest - by as much as 38 percent below average in Senegal.

Conflict seriously impacts on food insecurityThe situation in Syria is particularly urgent, as a weak harvest is exacerbating strains due to worsening civil conflict. An estimated 6.8 million people - some refugees in neighboring countries - are facing severe food insecurity. FAO reports a notable production decline for the 2014 crop, due to abandoned land, scarce labor, damaged power stations and canals as well as drought conditions.

The situation in Iraq is also acutely serious, where the number of people displaced due to civil conflict has tripled since last year to 2.8 million.

One third of the population is in need of urgent food assistance in the Central African Republic (CAR), where this year's food crop production is estimated to be 58 percent below average despite improving on 2013, FAO said. It noted an increase in violence since early October in a country where one in four households has resorted to negative coping strategies, including selling productive assets and slaughtering livestock.

Prices of agricultural commodities shot up as much as 70 percent this year in the CAR. According to FAO, the decline in cereal output was partially mitigated by a large 45 percent jump in the production of cassava, which though less nutritious is less reliant on labor and other inputs.

Refugee movements - especially from Sudan's Darfur region, northern Nigeria, the CAR and Mali - have put pressure on local food supplies, notably in Chad, where more than 550,000 people need food and livelihood assistance, according to the report.

While the recent harvest and delivery of humanitarian aid has offered relief, more than 6 million people in South Sudan, Sudan and Somalia are deemed to be in need of food and livelihood assistance. Prices in those countries remain at high levels, with sorghum prices running as much as four times higher in some of the most conflict-affected areas, further deteriorating vulnerable people's access to food.

Maize supplies stable in Southern and Eastern Africa

Elsewhere in Africa conditions were better, especially in Southern Africa, where stable maize prices declined due to ample supplies from this year's bumper output boosted food security. More stable maize supplies also led to a 78 percent drop in the number of food-insecure persons in Zimbabwe.

Recent harvests and favourable prospects for the second season crops helped push maize prices down in some countries of East Africa.

Meanwhile, 2014 cereal crop production was slightly below average in North Africa, where Morocco suffered sharp reductions due to erratic rains while the output in Tunisia recovered after a poor 2013 harvest.

Dry conditions result in reduced Central American harvest

Mexico is enjoying a bumper maize crop and its cereal output is expected to increase by 7 percent above last year's record harvest, FAO said.

That may ease the production short-fall expected in Central America, where a drought earlier in the year pushed the maize output down by around 9 percent, resulting in 400,000 families in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala needing food assistance.

Aggregate cereal output from Europe this year is estimated to be 5.6 percent higher than 2013, while the U.S.'s record maize output comes despite less acreage being sowed

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/271814/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/271814/icode/Thu, 11 Dec 2014 09:00:00 GMTBelgium supports FAO emergency response capacity with €5.8 million Belgium has donated €5.8 million to support FAO activities that help protect agriculture-based livelihoods for food security and resilience in the face of natural disasters and human-induced crises.

2 December 2014, Rome – Belgium has donated €5.8 million to support FAO activities that help protect agriculture-based livelihoods for food security and resilience in the face of natural disasters and human-induced crises.

SFERA was created in 2004 to enhance FAO's capacity to respond quickly and flexibly to emergency situations and humanitarian crises via the rapid release of funds before specific donor agreements are signed. Today, the fund has leveraged over $170 million to this end.

Since inception of SFERA, Belgium has donated over $30 million to support food security projects in emergencies, making it the top donor to the fund to date and one of the most rapid and proactive donors for agriculture and food security.

“Belgium is a long-term donor and partner of FAO,” said Vincent Mertens de Willmars, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Belgium to FAO. “As such it plays a strategic role in advocating and financing agriculture in humanitarian action and recognizes the necessity of dynamic and flexible responses to changing needs in humanitarian crises, following the principles of Good Humanitarian Donorship,” he added.

Consistent support for rapid action

Belgium’s consistent support to the fund made it the first donor to assist affected countries with FAO’s agriculture emergency interventions after large-scale disasters and crises, such as Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, and conflicts in the Central Africa Republic and South Sudan.

Belgian funding for rapid response activities through SFERA in 2014 also helped vulnerable family farmers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s North Kivu region restore their productive capacity.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/268947/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/268947/icode/Sun, 30 Nov 2014 23:00:00 GMTFarmers and herders in Iraq in dire need of support Wheat seeds, fertilizer and animal feed are starting to roll out to nearly 28,000 farming families in Iraq whose livelihoods have been left in tatters as a result of hostilities -- part of an FAO effort aimed at reinforcing food production and helping people recover.

10 November 2014, Rome/Cairo - Wheat seeds, fertilizer and animal feed are starting to roll out to nearly 28,000 farming families in Iraq whose livelihoods have been left in tatters as a result of hostilities -- part of an FAO effort aimed at reinforcing food production and helping people recover. But the Organization is warning that an additional $38.5 million in support is urgently needed to prevent the country's agricultural sector from collapsing and an already-worrisome food security situation from further degenerating.

Thousands of Iraqi farmers have been forced to flee their lands or have had their assets destroyed or seized. Others have seen markets for their crops disappear, or have sold off livestock, supplies and equipment to make ends meet.

As a result of these disruptions, June's harvest was severely compromised, reducing food availability across the country – currently an estimated 2.8 million people in Iraq are in need of food assistance. This situation could worsen as families continue to lose productive assets and income opportunities, or find themselves forced to unload livestock for quick cash.

“If not addressed in time, this will translate into longer-term reliance on food aid and other forms of aid," said Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa. “Millions of vulnerable Iraqis are in dire need of help to restore their self-sufficiency and build resilience,” he added.

Operations underway, but more support needed

Today FAO began delivery of seeds and fertilizer to 20,000 farmers in Ninevah, Dohuk, Erbil, and Diyala governates to support them during current winter planting season, and the Organization is supplying 7,500 herders with animal feed for the winter, thanks to funding from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

"This is an important step, but the needs are immense and we are facing a $38 million shortfall in terms of what is needed to prevent a further collapse of agriculture, " said Fadel El Zubi, FAO’s Representative in Iraq. “Thousands more farmers still need assistance. Failure to provide that help in a timely manner will have major and lasting repercussions on the agriculture sector and the food security of millions of Iraqis.”

“FAO’s call for funds is time-critical,” El Zubi stressed. The assistance will help families keep their livestock alive, protect strategic crops, promote quick-impact food production such as poultry raising and small-scale gardening, and create vital income opportunities.

FAO’s appeal is part of the 2014-2015 Strategic Response Plan for Iraq released by the United Nations last week. FAO’s total funding requirements of $53.2 million are around 28 percent met, leaving a funding gap of $38.5 million.

Most of Iraq’s wheat production takes place in the north, which has been significantly destabilized by the conflict. Nearly all of the country’s water resources flow through areas under the control of the self-described Islamic State (IS) and affiliated armed groups.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/265143/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/265143/icode/Sun, 09 Nov 2014 23:00:00 GMTTyphoon Haiyan - One year later One year after Typhoon Haiyan devastated coastal and farmland areas in the central Philippines, farmers and fishers are well on the road to recovery and building more resilient livelihoods.

7 November 2014, Rome/ Tacloban - One year after Typhoon Haiyan devastated coastal and farmland areas in the central Philippines, farmers and fishers are well on the road to recovery and building more resilient livelihoods.

FAO, in close collaboration with the government of the Philippines, is reaching out to communities in severely affected areas through some 22 projects across the MIMAROPA, Western, Central and Eastern Visayas regions.

"Farmers are the backbone of this recovery and the key to build community resilience to future disasters," said FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva on the eve of the one-year anniversary. "Their work now will ensure that when the next typhoon hits, the impacts are smaller and they are able to recover quicker," he added, having witnessed local rebuilding efforts first hand during a visit to affected areas in March of this year.

Within hours of the Typhoon making landfall around, 1.1 million tonnes of crops, 44 million coconut trees suffered severe damage, as did fishing communities along some of the country's most productive shores.

"With one-third of the country relying on the agriculture sector for their livelihood, it is crucial to get people back on their feet as quickly as possible and assist them in rebuilding their lives," said FAO Representative to the Philippines José Luis Fernandez, adding that "We need to start building people's ability to be self-reliant from day one."

Leveraging nearly $ 40 million in support from the international community, FAO and local authorities have been providing assistance to 150 000 farming and fishing families (some 750 000 people), in four critical areas of intervention: rice and corn farming, fisheries and coastal communities, coconut-based farming systems, and coastal/mangrove forest rehabilitation.

Rice farmers bounce back

In response to a request by the government of the Philippines, within weeks of the disaster, FAO began distributing rice production packages in time for the December/January planting season, enabling farmers to bring in their first crop without skipping one harvesting season. These rice farmers have already sown their fields for the second time with the certified rice seed and are now harvesting the second time since the typhoon.

"Farmers have been key responders in this emergency", Fernandez underscored. "We helped them source seed to plant in time. They, in turn, filled local markets with rice four months later. Without their perseverance, food aid and other forms of humanitarian assistance would have been required much longer and for many more people."

In order to further build resilience and make accessing markets easier, FAO is providing water- and-pest-resistant storage containers to protect farmers' seeds, along with drying nets and post-harvest equipment, and is training farmers in how to reduce post-harvest losses.

Looking at the future: Improving sustainable practices

With an estimated 30 000 small-scale fishing boats lost, damaged or destroyed, nearly two-thirds of fishing communities lost their productive assets. FAO is working closely with local authorities to restore fisheries-related livelihoods while paving the way for more sustainable development.

"The rehabilitation process of the fisheries sector, presents the opportunity to introduce improved practices and help small-scale traders and fish processors add more value to their production," said Fernandez.

Because mangroves play a key role in stabilising coastlines against weather shocks and contribute to aquaculture and fisheries, FAO is working with local communities and organizations to promote the rehabilitation of natural mangrove forests.

Women, who are essential to post-harvesting activities like conserving, selling and trading fish, are being trained how to add extra value to their products.

FAO and partners are also training boat builders on the construction and maintenance of a newly developed hybrid wood-and-fibreglass boat, which will provide a more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective option for fishers. This is being complemented by the distribution of various inputs, such as boat engines, fishing gear, seaweed and fish production kits.

In all, the fisheries programme is extending support to 19 000 families in the target regions, which benefits some 95 000 people.

Beyond coconuts

Given that newly planted coconut trees take an average of six to eight years to be ready for harvest, support to coconut farmers has focused on providing affected families with alternative sources of livelihood.

"Diversifying sources of income also gives families an added buffer against future shocks," Fernandez noted.

FAO has been providing agricultural inputs like vegetable seeds, root and fruit crops, as well as livestock such as poultry and cows, which will also help families enrich and diversify their diet.

"Almost all of our animals perished from the typhoon. We have not started raising animals yet, but this assistance from FAO is crucial in allowing us to restart poultry and livestock-raising again," said Madeline Laubena, a coconut farmer from Aklan in Western Visayas.

Farmers are also being trained on seed production management, entrepreneurship and climate-resilient agricultural practices.

Over 35 000 coconut farming and agroforestry-reliant families are in the process of developing more diversified and resilient livelihoods through FAO's programme, which will benefit some 175 000 people.

About FAO's Haiyan Response

FAO's typhoon Haiyan recovery work to date has been supported by the UN Central Emergency Fund (CERF), the Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department of the European Commission (ECHO) and the Governments of Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/264765/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/264765/icode/Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:00:00 GMTPoor rains followed by floods likely to worsen Somalia food crisis, experts warn After a poor rainy season, parts of southern Somalia are now being hit by severe bouts of floods, further aggravating the already alarming food security situation in the Horn of Africa nation, experts at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) have warned.

31 October 2014, Nairobi/Rome - After a poor rainy season, parts of southern Somalia are now being hit by severe bouts of floods, further aggravating the already alarming food security situation in the Horn of Africa nation, experts at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) have warned.

With the devastation of the 2011 famine still fresh in the minds of many, Somalia once again finds itself in a humanitarian crisis.

More than one million people are now in urgent need of assistance- a rise of 20 percent in just six months - while another two million people are experiencing threats to their food security.

Much of Somalia's agriculture takes place along the Juba and Shebelle rivers, the only perennial streams in Somalia. They originate in Ethiopia, where over 90 percent of the stream flow is generated and experts fear that swells of floodwaters will ruin the crops.

Latest reports indicate that the worst affected area along the Shebelle River is Belet Weyne town. Along the Juba River, floods have been reported in Dollow, Jilib and Jamame in Lower Juba, where large areas with crops have been inundated.

"We have a small and critical window of opportunity - we must seize it now if we want to avoid going the same way as four years ago," said Luca Alinovi, acting Head of Office, FAO Somalia.

Close to 260 000 people died in the 2010-2012 famine in Eastern Africa - more than half of those were children under the age of five - which was the result of a severe drought exacerbated by inadequate humanitarian assistance and poor humanitarian access.

Many current food security indicators across Somalia resemble or are worse than those seen in the pre-famine period in 2010.

"If we've learned anything from the devastation of the 2011 famine, it's that early warning signs must lead to immediate action," said Bukar Tijani, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa.

"We know from experience that quick responses to early warnings are crucial to prevent disaster and are less costly than emergency responses to full-blown humanitarian crisis," he added.

With resources currently available, FAO will be able to assist 35 000 families (some 210 000 people) throughout the current Deyr - the country's second annual rainy season - which is being used to support livestock redistribution, expand livestock vaccination drives, provide fishing and agricultural inputs and extend cash-for-work programs. As part of its current activities, FAO is distributing vouchers to close to 22 500 families for the purchase of some 4 000 tonnes of locally-sourced seeds to help farmers produce a better January harvest.

But another $49 million is needed to extend assistance to a total of 58 000 at-risk households (some 350 000 people) and continue to support those families throughout the first half of 2015. This is done through Cash-for-Work opportunities, improved agricultural inputs for farming households, redistribution of livestock for destitute pastoralists and agropastoralists and distribution of basic supplies for inland fishing in riverine areas. There is also a need to expand livestock treatment and vaccination campaigns to another 8 million animals (from the current 2 million) to ensure herds can better withstand diseases associated with poor body conditions following periods of prolonged drought.

Roots of the crisis

Poor rains and floods have affected cereal and livestock production across Somalia, while ongoing conflicts continue to disrupt trade routes, thus driving up food prices. As a result, cereal production has fallen 30 percent below the five-year average and cereal prices quadrupled in parts of the country between January and July 2014.

FAO's efforts focus on rural areas in South-central Somalia that are facing food crisis and humanitarian emergency conditions. "The time is now for the international community to step up and prevent another catastrophe in Somalia," urged Tijani.

29 October 2014, Rome - Widespread looting and insecurity in the Central African Republic have taken a heavy toll on crops, livestock and fishing and is eroding the capacity of people across the country to secure sufficient food, a new assessment by the UN food and agriculture agencies has found.

The report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) found significant declines in agricultural production in the wake of the crisis in CAR that caused massive displacements and drove hundreds of thousands of people fleeing across its borders.

Production of the main staple cereals and cassava in 2014 (in cereal equivalent) is estimated at about 763 000 metric tonnes, according to the Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) report -- eleven percent higher than the poor 2013 harvest but still 58 percent lower than the 2008-2012 pre-crisis average. The country's agricultural sector contracted by 46 percent in 2013, it says. (Full report in French/ highlights in English)

Negative impacts on food production were tempered by FAO's support to around 111 750 households through the provision of seeds and tools ahead of planting to support crop production, accompanied by WFP's delivery of seed protection rations to limit the risk of planting material consumption.

"While these efforts prevented the food and farming situation from becoming even more desperate, we need additional support to boost food production and the agricultural sector, which is the primary means of survival for many people and the backbone of the Central African Republic's economy," said FAO Country Representative Jean-Alexandre Scaglia.

Compared to pre-crisis levels, livestock numbers are estimated to be down by as much as 77 percent, due to frequent raids and cattle-rustling, while the fish supply declined by about 40 percent, owing to insecurity in fishing areas along the country's rivers and the loss of fishing equipment.

Food reserves in rural areas are now around 40-50 percent lower than average levels, following recurring raids. Families who have lost most of their productive assets and income due to the crisis are now forced to find other ways to acquire sufficient food for their families. Furthermore, disruptions to trade resulting from unsafe roads have led to severe shortages of essential food items, prompting price surges in many areas.

As income sources have dried up, households have now switched to other activities to get by, such as gathering and selling wood and charcoal. The FAO/WFP assessment found that many families are skipping meals and reducing portions.

"WFP is particularly concerned about the situation of internally displaced people (IDPs) and isolated communities. Field surveys show about half of these households have critically low levels of food consumption and are at high risk of malnutrition and therefore rely largely on food assistance," said WFP's chief economist, Arif Husain.

In Bangui, the country's capital, inflation rose to 12 percent in August 2014 from 3.5 percent in January, eroding the purchasing power of families. Prices of staple foods increased by 30-70 percent from March to August 2014. Between a quarter and a third of the people in the Central African Republic were already food-insecure prior to the crisis, struggling to access adequate food on a regular basis.

The FAO/WFP assessment was undertaken with the strong support of local institutions and several national and international NGOs'members of the food security cluster.

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. In 2013, WFP assisted more than 80 million people in 75 countries.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO assists developing countries and countries in transition to modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices and ensure good nutrition for all. FAO focuses special attention on developing rural areas, home to 70 percent of the world's poor and hungry people.

8 October 2014, Rome/Dakar – FAO today launched a new programme to urgently assist 90 000 vulnerable households in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone whose food supplies and livelihoods are threatened by the disruptive effect the Ebola epidemic is having on rural economies, agricultural activities and markets.

The Regional Response Programme for West Africa will scale-up the work FAO is currently doing with governments, United Nations partners and local networks of agriculture, veterinary and forestry workers, to help stop the spread of the disease, meet immediate and long-term food and nutrition security needs and build resilience.

FAO is urgently calling for $30 million to support activities linked to the programme over the next 12 months. Programme activities are organized around four key objectives:

• contribute to saving lives by stopping the spread of the disease through social mobilization, training and awareness raising;

• boost incomes and agricultural production to safeguard livelihoods;

• build resilience of communities to disease threats; and

• strengthen coordination for improved response.

“Our comprehensive response is part of overall United Nations efforts to save lives and protect livelihoods,” said Vincent Martin, Head of FAO's Dakar-based Subregional Resilience Hub, the office coordinating FAO’s response. “We’re following a twin-track approach to help our United Nations partners halt the tragic loss of life while at the same time protecting incomes, nutrition levels and food security.”

Activities include mobilizing communities to reduce their risk of infection through awareness campaigns; boosting food and cash crops, livestock and fisheries production, introducing microfinance strategies to safeguard rural incomes; and setting up early warning and response systems to reduce Ebola risks at the human-animal interface. The programme will also ensure countries are coordinated and resourced by filling gaps in expertise, increasing knowledge sharing on best-practices and building collaborative networks.

Early results from rapid assessments point to a worrisome situation. In Sierra Leone, for example, 47 percent of the respondents said Ebola was considerably disrupting their farming activities. In Lofa county, the most affected rural county in Liberia, the prices of commodities, including food, increased from 30 to 75 percent just in August 2014.

If not addressed now, the current impact of the outbreak on livelihoods could lead to long-lasting impacts on farmers' livelihoods and rural economies.

FAO mobilized its own funds to support United Nations’ and governments’ efforts. However, much more is needed and right away. FAO is calling for urgent support to enable the Organization to continue assisting vulnerable communities in affected and at-risk countries while also safeguarding their futures.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/253824/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/253824/icode/Tue, 07 Oct 2014 22:00:00 GMTLocust plague in Madagascar halted, but at great risk of resurgence A locust plague that spread across Madagascar threatening the main staple food crops and pasture in the country has been successfully contained, however, progress is under threat due to a gap in funding, FAO said.

2 October 2014, Rome - A locust plague that spread across Madagascar threatening the main staple food crops and pasture in the country has been successfully contained, however, progress is under threat due to a gap in funding, FAO said today.

At the beginning of the plague in April 2012 the highly destructive Malagasy Migratory Locust ravaged crops and pastures on its way from the southwest of the country toward the North. By April 2014, it had spread towards the country’s largest rice crop areas in the northwest and threatened the livelihoods of 13 million people.

Potential for further damage was contained by the first locust control campaign, which is part of a three-year programme jointly executed by FAO and the Government of Madagascar, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“The effects of this plague could have been devastating, but thanks to strong efforts by the Government of Madagascar, supported by FAO, we have succeeded in preventing these locusts from migrating even further,” said David Phiri, FAO’s Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa.

Protected crops

Since locust control actions were initiated in September 2013, large-scale aerial operations have allowed experts to survey over 30 million hectares of land and control locust populations on over 1.2 million hectares.

A total of $28 million has been donated so far by the Governments of Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Japan, Madagascar through a World Bank loan, Norway and the United States of America as well the European Union and the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund. Donors also include Algeria, Mauritania and Morocco, which donated pesticides.

Preliminary results of an FAO/WFP assessment mission, conducted between mid-June and mid-July 2014 in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, indicate that the first anti-locust campaign prevented larger damage to crops and pastures and protected the large rice producing regions of the country located in the centre and north.

This first campaign also provided the opportunity to further strengthen national capacities in locust management.

“Despite great support and achievements, however, we now face a new challenge due to a gap in funding,” says Phiri.More funds needed

Funds available so far are only sufficient to implement the first part of the second locust control campaign, which started in September 2014. With the onset of the rainy season, from October 2014 onwards, the locust situation will deteriorate as seasonal temperatures and humidity at this time are ideal breeding conditions for the locust. The second and third campaigns are imperative to respectively support the decline of the plague and the return to a situation of recession.

Additional support of $14.7 million is urgently needed for aerial surveys, control operations, equipment, pesticides, as well as the recruitment of key staff to carry out the second and third campaigns.

“Each day is a fight to feed our children and send them to school,” says Hantanirina Florentine, who lives in a village near Sakaraha in central Madagascar. “Our main source of income is our 100 square metre plot of land and my husband’s odd jobs. The locust plague affected our livelihood and made our daily life even harder. The locust plague needs to be put to an end, so we can have crops and protect our livelihoods.”

Without added funding, efforts made during the first campaign will be largely lost and the locust plague will expand again. The context was similar in 2010/11 and 2011/12 when the funding for two anti-locust campaigns was not made available and as a result, the current plague developed.

“An immediate food crisis has been avoided,” says Phiri, “but an economical and humanitarian crisis could still threaten Madagascar if the two next campaigns are not implemented in time.”

“We are in a position to help – we just need one last push to stop this disaster and prevent future plagues.”

According to, Roland Ravatomanga, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development of Madagascar, “The first locust phase was successful thanks to the support of technical and financial partners, but much remains to be done for the second phase in 2014 and 2015. I solemnly appeal to the International Community on behalf of the Government and the Malagasy people for financial and material support to Madagascar. The food and nutrition security of Madagascar depends on it.”

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/251877/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/251877/icode/Thu, 02 Oct 2014 08:00:00 GMTFAO joins new global efforts targeting Ebola and other infectious diseases FAO Director-General, José Graziano da Silva today stressed the need for controls on animal health to help curb the spread of Ebola and other infectious diseases dangerous to humans, during discussions hosted by US President Barack Obama.

26 September 2014, Washington, D.C. - FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva today stressed the need for controls on animal health to help curb the spread of Ebola and other infectious diseases dangerous to humans, during discussions hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama.

The FAO chief joined leaders of the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and representatives from more than 40 countries at the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) event held at the White House in Washington, D.C.

President Obama underscored the importance of dealing with the breakout of infectious diseases collectively, highlighting that in a world that is deeply interconnected, outbreaks have the potential to impact every country. "No nation can meet this challenge on its own. Nobody is that isolated," he said, stressing the need for global cooperation.

The U.S. government-initiated GHSA is an international partnership to strengthen health systems with the objective to prevent, detect and respond to emerging disease threats. It is estimated that 70 percent of new infectious diseases that have emerged in humans over recent decades have animal origin, mostly from wildlife.

Graziano da Silva underlined that "controlling zoonotic diseases and emerging threats at the human, animal and ecosystems interface needs an integrated and multidisciplinary approach that brings different sectors to work closely together to attain the health of people, animals and the environment."

He noted how this is echoed in the One Health agenda which has seen FAO, as part of its tripartite partnership (FAO-WHO-OIE), integrate this approach in its vision for sustainable livestock development "to attain a healthier and more prosperous world."

By focusing on prevention, countries can minimize loss of human life when diseases cross over from animal to human populations and thus become harder to manage - a fact illustrated by the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the FAO Director-General said.

He expressed "great concern" over the possible impact of this epidemic on "food security and livelihoods of affected communities, with a potential to cause long-term food insecurity in West Africa, as a result of prolonged disruption of crop harvesting and subsequent planting."

The FAO Director-General in his address also mentioned other recent emerging diseases of animal origin that affect humans such as H5N1 avian influenza, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

"There is a need to set up global preparedness, surveillance and response programmes," Graziano da Silva told participants at the White House event. He welcomed the GHSA's focus on prevention, detection and response, and noted how FAO shared this approach.

Graziano da Silva reiterated FAO's commitment, alongside WHO and OIE, to further support countries in tackling threats to health from animal sources. FAO works with country and regional partners to assist them to develop preparedness and contingency plans for animal health-related events, and these capacities serve both public health and food security aims.

FAO also contributes to health protection through its work on the Joint FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission, that provides guidance on food safety and public health taking into account the entire food chain.

The Director-General, in his address at the White House event, emphasized the strong link between nutrition and human health. He noted how the upcoming Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2), jointly organized by FAO and WHO, will establish a framework of actions on nutrition that will be part of the Post-2015 Agenda.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/248968/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/248968/icode/Thu, 25 Sep 2014 22:00:00 GMTSouth Sudan: Progress made, but food security remains fragile Despite current short-term improvements, 1.5 million people are projected to remain severely food insecure until the end of 2014, which is a fifty percent increase from December 2013.

23 September2014, Juba - The combined efforts of FAO, the United Nations World Food Programme and Mercy Corps have helped to pull 2 million people back from the brink of famine and severe food insecurity in South Sudan.

Since May 2014, some of the worst-affected counties of Unity - one of South Sudan's 10 states - reached by humanitarian assistance have improved from an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Phase 4 (Emergency) to IPC Phase 3 (Crisis). The IPC consists of five phases that classify the levels of food insecurity people are facing, beginning with Phase 1 (Minimal) and Phase 5 (Famine).

This progress, however, is fragile, partial, temporary and expensive. Despite current short-term improvements, 1.5 million people are projected to remain severely food insecure until the end of 2014, which is a fifty percent increase from December 2013. The baseline of people in need is higher than last year and the figure is set to increase as the dry season intensifies in early next year when the number of people in Crisis or Emergency phases of food insecurity is predicted to be 2.5 million people.

FAO has already reached over 1.5 million people (250,000+ households) with more than 400,000 emergency livelihood kits. FAO continues to strengthen its work in less-affected areas to protect food production, availability and access with the aim of boosting national food production in 2015.

There is a short window of opportunity to mitigate a large-scale humanitarian emergency in 2015. FAO South Sudan is urgently seeking $ 48 million to maintain and expand current operations and to procure and pre-position supplies needed for early 2015.

FAO continues to provide crucial food security information, analysis and coordination in South Sudan and is a leading partner in the IPC process. The latest IPC report was endorsed by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan today and can be found at http://www.ipcinfo.org/

The newly released IPC analysis highlights that seasonal patterns also have contributed to a temporary improvement in food security across South Sudan, particularly in areas not affected by conflict. The seasonal availability of crops, livestock products, fish and wild foods has improved thanks to normal rainfall, and good crop planting and performance in less affected areas, and owing to the start of the green harvest in late August. At the same time, local communities have relied heavily on their families and neighbours for support, sharing their limited resources.

"Ever since the beginning of the crisis, the people of South Sudan have done what they always do, which is work so hard to survive. To find ways of harvesting wild foods, of accessing markets, of selling and slaughtering their livestock", according to Sue Lautze, FAO Representative and the UN's Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator.

"Normally this is the season of reduced needs because the rains bring fish, improved pasture and wild foods, and the risk of conflict generally diminishes. The principal concern is to what extent will vulnerability spike again when the land dries and those natural resources diminish and the risk of conflict could return," said Dr Lautze.

FAO has scaled up its resilience-building efforts in South Sudan since March 2014, with a portfolio of emergency and development work that has expanded nearly five times over the past year. FAO promotes a dual-track approach that responds to the immediate needs of crisis-affected populations while increasing food production and protecting livelihoods in less-affected areas.]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/248055/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/248055/icode/Mon, 22 Sep 2014 22:00:00 GMTNorway donates $10 million to FAO South Sudan Norway has donated approximately $10 million to help FAO provide conflict-affected farmers, fishers and herders in South Sudan with critical livelihood support.

11 September 2014, Juba – Norway has donated approximately $10 million to help FAO provide conflict-affected farmers, fishers and herders in South Sudan with critical livelihood support.

The contribution will also allow FAO to distribute fuel efficient stoves, protecting women from the risks associated with collecting firewood and mitigating the environmental impact of population movements.

“Norway’s injection of funds has arrived at the right time – many families have experienced severe food insecurity for over eight months and need urgent assistance now,” said Sue Lautze, FAO’s Head of Office in South Sudan and the UN’s Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in the country.

“By distributing these livelihood kits, we are giving fisherfolk the means to fish, farmers to plant and pastoralists to keep their herds alive. This in turn puts food on the table. Milk, vegetables, fish, meat – these are keeping a lot of people alive right now.”

Protracted food insecurity in 2014 will have lasting consequences for South Sudan’s most vulnerable, many of whom have been forced to sell their few assets or adopt other negative coping strategies in an effort to survive, compromising their ability to resume food production in the future.

“This grant for improving livelihood and food security is part of the Norwegian support to address the humanitarian needs in South Sudan”, says Ambassador Tone Tinnes.

“The Norwegian Government organized a humanitarian donor conference in Oslo in May this year, and our pledges for increased humanitarian assistance are now being disbursed to a number of humanitarian actors such as UN agencies and international NGOs. This grant to FAO will assist many families and gives them the tools they need to help themselves.”

More support is needed

FAO is taking a two-pronged approach to improving food security and nutrition in South Sudan.

Livelihood kits are being distributed to families in severely affected areas, while efforts are being made to boost food production in less-affected counties.

Working with the World Food Programme and UNICEF to deliver inputs to remote communities by airdrop, airlift, boat and truck, FAO has released emergency kits to reach more than 1.5 million people with vital inputs for fishing, farming and livestock rearing.

“The fishing and vegetable kits in particular are having an immediate impact on the availability of food for the families we have been able to reach so far,” Lautze said.

Thanks to funds already provided by Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the Africa Solidary Trust Fund, the European Union’s Humanitarian Aid and the UN’s Common Humanitarian Fund, over 350 000 livelihood kits have been released to partners by FAO.

FAO still needs an additional $48 million to reach its target of assisting 3.3 million people and begin pre-positioning supplies in time for the 2015 seasons.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/243602/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/243602/icode/Thu, 11 Sep 2014 22:00:00 GMTSaudi Arabia helps FAO respond to the dire state of food security in Iraq FAO is scaling-up critical food and agriculture assistance to highly vulnerable rural households in Iraq thanks to a generous $14.7 million grant from Saudi Arabia. The donation is part of a $500 million grant that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has provided to support Iraqis affected by the recent crisis.

4 September 2014, Bagdad/Rome - FAO is scaling-up critical food and agriculture assistance to highly vulnerable rural households in Iraq thanks to a generous $14.7 million grant from Saudi Arabia. The donation is part of a $500 million grant that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has provided to support Iraqis affected by the recent crisis.

The funds will mainly be used to respond to the needs of thousands of rural households whose livelihoods depend on cereal crops and livestock and who are currently struggling to survive.

"Losses of both assets and income opportunities are exposing a growing number of poor people to an alarming state of food insecurity," said Fadel El Zubi, FAO Representative in Iraq.

"Massive displacement of people and inaccessible farmland, as well as disruptions to fuel supplies, harvest subsidies and food supply chains, are affecting the availability of and access to food. The situation is likely to deteriorate as the crisis continues and the emergency situation becomes increasingly complex," El Zubi added.

The conflict has seriously impacted cereal harvests in key production areas. Ninevah and Salah al-Din governorates, which usually contribute about a third of Iraq's wheat and 40 percent of its barley, are particularly affected.

The reduced harvest may trigger a drop in food supply levels, an increase in import requirements and a rise in food prices. FAO is working to support farming families and provide them with the means to sustain their livelihoods and cope with the crisis. Building resilience

FAO will soon distribute to farmers critically needed wheat seed and fertilizer for the upcoming planting season (October-November 2014). Simultaneous efforts will be undertaken to build the resilience of conflict-affected rural households through support to develop backyard vegetable and poultry production, while households headed by women and poor families will be trained in home food processing and involved in cash-for-work activities, helping them rebuild their livelihoods, create job opportunities and improve their access to food.

Animal feed will also be distributed to help herders sustain their flocks (their main assets) and maintain productive livestock activities. Veterinary supplies and services will be provided to help protect flocks from transboundary animal diseases, which already present a threat to livestock and a danger to public health, particularly among displaced populations.

The joint WFP-FAO food security cluster will be further strengthened to ensure coordination between relevant institutions.

"This is yet another emergency in the region and our teams are working relentlessly to respond to the needs of farmers and displaced populations in the affected countries - but the needs are huge. We are grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia whose generosity will make a difference in the lives of thousands of people in Iraq. We appeal to the generosity of other donors to help the people of Iraq as the crisis unfolds," said Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/242511/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/242511/icode/Wed, 03 Sep 2014 22:00:00 GMTFlood-affected Serbian farmers receive EU and FAO aid European Union assistance to flood-affected Serbian farm households got under way with a first delivery of animal feed here today. Financed by the EU and delivered in partnership with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the assistance forms part of the EU's overall flood recovery package to Serbia valued at €30m.

3 September 2014, Trstenik, Serbia - European Union assistance to flood-affected Serbian farm households got under way with a first delivery of animal feed here today. Financed by the EU and delivered in partnership with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the assistance forms part of the EU's overall flood recovery package to Serbia valued at €30m.

Farmers in Trstenik are among the first to receive the EU assistance, as trucks carrying animal feed reached the town this morning.

Present for the official launch of the EU operations were Freek Janmaat, Head of Economic and European Integration Section at the EU, Trstenik municipality president Miroslav Aleksic and other high level officials from municipality.

Mr. Zoran Rajić, State Secretary with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection attended on behalf of the national government.

"I am extremely happy to be in Trstenik today to launch the third component of the 'European Union's Support for Flood Relief in Serbia' project which is aimed at helping individual farmers recuperate from the damages and losses their livestock production suffered during the floods in May and June this year," Janmaat said.

"The EU has secured a total of €8m for agricultural support, with which our partners from FAO will deliver animal feed, plant seeds, fruit and vegetable sprouts, greenhouses to small farmers in 24 municipalities worst affected by floods. The households are assisted to restart their orchards and crop fields, to replace destroyed agricultural equipment, repair damaged facilities; re-stock lost animals and keep the existing animals healthy and productive," he said.

FAO's current recovery effort under the EU grant targets about 2,100 small-scale, family-operated farms in Obrenovac, Cacak, Lazarevac and Trstenik that suffered significant losses as a result of unprecedented spring flooding and landslides. Animal feed is procured within Serbia, following issuance of public tenders.

The activities are closely coordinated and implemented in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Government of Serbia Office for Reconstruction and Flood Relief and local governments. "The overall aim of the agricultural component of EU's €30m flood relief package is to assist around 15,000 small farming households which provide life subsistence to over 30,000 people and which we hope will help them to restore the livelihoods and improve quality of life," Janmaat said.

The information and views set out in this document are those of the FAO and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Union.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/242630/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/242630/icode/Wed, 03 Sep 2014 22:00:00 GMTWest Africa: Ebola outbreak puts harvests at risk, sends food prices shooting up Disruptions in food trade and marketing in the three West African countries most affected by Ebola have made food increasingly expensive and hard to come by, while labor shortages are putting the upcoming harvest season at serious risk.

2 September 2014, Rome - Disruptions in food trade and marketing in the three West African countries most affected by Ebola have made food increasingly expensive and hard to come by, while labor shortages are putting the upcoming harvest season at serious risk, FAO warned today.

In Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, quarantine zones and restrictions on people's movement aimed at combating the spread of the virus, although necessary, have seriously curtailed the movement and marketing of food. This has lead to panic buying, food shortages and significant food price hikes on some commodities, especially in urban centers, according to a special alert issued today by FAO's Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS).

At the same time, the main harvest season for two key crops - rice and maize - is just weeks away. Labor shortages on farms due to movement restrictions and migration to other areas will seriously impact farm production, jeopardizing the food security of large numbers of people, the alert says.

Generally adequate rains during the 2014 cropping season had previously pointed to likely favorable harvests in the main Ebola-affected countries. But now food production - the areas most affected by the outbreak are among the most productive in Sierra Leone and Liberia - stands to be seriously scaled back.

Likewise, production of cash crops like palm oil, cocoa and rubber - on which the livelihoods and food purchasing power of many families depend - is expected to be seriously affected.

"Access to food has become a pressing concern for many people in the three affected countries and their neighbors," said Bukar Tijani, FAO Regional Representative for Africa. "With the main harvest now at risk and trade and movements of goods severely restricted, food insecurity is poised to intensify in the weeks and months to come. The situation will have long-lasting impacts on farmers' livelihoods and rural economies," he added.

Major spikes in food prices

Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are all net cereal importers, with Liberia being the most reliant on external supplies. The closure of some border crossings and the isolation of border areas where the three countries intersect - as well as reduced trade from seaports, the main conduit for large-scale commercial imports - are resulting in tighter supplies and sharply increasing food prices.

In Monrovia, Liberia, a recently conducted rapid market assessment indicates that prices of some food items have increased rapidly - for example, in Monrovia's Redlight Market the price of cassava went up 150 percent within the first weeks of August.

"Even prior to the Ebola outbreak, households in some of the affected areas were spending up to 80 percent of their incomes on food," said Vincent Martin, Head of FAO's Dakar-based Resilience Hub, which is coordinating the agency's response. "Now these latest price spikes are effectively putting food completely out of their reach. This situation may have social repercussions that could lead to subsequent impact on the disease containment."

The depreciation of national currencies in Sierra Leone and Liberia in recent months is expected to exert further upward price pressure on imported food commodities. Response efforts

To meet short-term food relief needs, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has launched a regional emergency operation targeting some 65,000 tonnes of food to 1.3 million people.

At the same time, FAO's special alert says that "rapid assessments are required to identify the type of measures that are feasible to mitigate the impact of labour shortages during the harvesting period and for related post-harvest activities."

And measures to revive internal trade are essential to ease supply constraints and mitigate further food price increases, it notes.

Preventing further loss of human life and stopping the spread of the virus remain the top priorities at this time. FAO has joined the coordinated UN effort to support affected countries, is in daily communication with WHO and other key actors, and has personnel in West Africa aiding technical and logistical efforts.

It is critical that rural communities understand which practices pose the highest risks of human-to-human transmission as well as the potential spill-over from wildlife. Toward that end, FAO has activated its networks of local animal health clubs, community animal health workers, producer organizations, forestry contacts and agriculture extension and rural radio services to help UNICEF and WHO communicate risk to affected populations.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/242177/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/242177/icode/Tue, 02 Sep 2014 08:00:00 GMTOver one million people in Somalia face acute food insecurity as food crisis worsens The latest findings from a joint assessment by the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit for Somalia (FSNAU), a project managed by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and other partners indicate that an estimated 1,025,000 people will be in Crisis and Emergency (IPC Phases 3 and 4).

2 September2014, Nairobi/Washington - The gradual recovery and gains made since the end of the famine in 2012 are being lost as poor rains, conflict, trade disruptions and reduced humanitarian assistance led to a worsening of the food security situation across Somalia. Acute malnutrition increased in many parts of the country, particularly among children.

The situation is likely to continue deteriorating further until the start of the Deyrrains in October.

The latest findings from a joint assessment by the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit for Somalia (FSNAU), a project managed by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other partners, indicate that an estimated 1,025,000 people will be in Crisis and Emergency (IPC Phases 3 and 4) (*).

This figure represents a 20 percent increase since January 2014. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) continue to constitute a majority (62%) of the people in Crisis and Emergency (IPC Phases 3 and 4), followed by rural (27%) and urban (11%) populations.

Recent nutrition survey results conducted across the country also indicate that an estimated 218,000 children under the age of five are acutely malnourished (nearly one in seven children under five) - a seven percent increase since January 2014.

This figure includes 43,800 severely malnourished children who face an even higher risk of morbidity and death. Critical levels of acute malnutrition (Global Acute Malnutrition rates exceeding 15%) were found in 21 out of 50 population groups surveyed.

Morbidity, poor infant and young child feeding practices and inadequate humanitarian assistance are among the main contributing factors of malnutrition in Somalia.

As a result of delayed and erratic rainfall, the Gu 2014 cereal harvest in July/August is estimated to be 37 percent below the long-­‐term average and 28 percent below the five-­‐year average.

The poor rains have also contributed to water shortages, poor livestock performance and reduced access to milk in several pastoral areas, particularly in parts of the Northeast and the Gedo region of Southern Somalia.

Trade disruption and reduced access to seasonal agricultural employment have also exacerbated the food insecurity situation in urban areas that came under government control following the military offensive against insurgents in March 2014. In these areas, access roads remain under insurgent control and trade flow is largely blocked, resulting in sharp increases in staple food prices.

Cereal prices have quadrupled in Wajid (Bakool) and doubled in Hudur town (Bakool), Middle Shabelle and Hiraan (Buloburte district) regions between January and July/August 2014.

The populations in Emergency and Crisis (IPC Phases 4 and 3) require urgent lifesaving humanitarian assistance and livelihood support between now and December 2014 to help meet immediate food needs, including urgent nutrition and health support for the acutely malnourished, particularly children.

Additional interventions will be required to protect livelihoods and build the resilience of communities against future shocks.

The food security situation of over 2.1 million additional people remains fragile and is classified as Stressed (IPC Phase 2). This group of households may struggle to meet their minimal food requirements through the end of the year, and they remain highly vulnerable to shocks that could push them back to food security crisis if no appropriate support is provided.

Areas and Populations of Concern

Populations experiencing acute food security crisis (IPC Phases 3 and 4) are found in large numbers (10% of the total population or more) in rural and urban areas and among displaced populations of Bari, Nugaal, South Mudug, Galgaduud, Hiraan, Middle Shabelle, Lower Shabelle, Bakool, Gedo, Middle Juba and Banadir regions.

Population groups with Global Acute Malnutrition rates exceeding 15 percent are of major concern and are found in urban parts of Bari Region and rural parts of Hiraan, Bay, Bakool, Lower Shabelle, Gedo, East and West Golis of Wooqooy Galbeed, Sanaag and Bari regions, and among displaced populations in Mogadishu, Kismayo, Dhobley, Dollow, and Dhusamareb.

There is also a severe water shortage for livestock mainly in the northeast but also in parts of northwest, central and North Gedo regions of Somalia.

(*)The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is a set of analytical tools and processes, to analyze and classify the severity of a food security situation according to scientific international standards into a five-point scale: IPC Phase 1=Minimal; Phase 2=Stressed; Phase 3=Crisis; Phase 4=Emergency; and Phase 5=Famine.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/242231/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/242231/icode/Mon, 01 Sep 2014 22:00:00 GMTFAO’s Graziano da Silva: “Hunger leads to conflict and conflict exacerbates hunger” The two-day (29-30 August) event is being held in Bali, Indonesia under the theme “Unity in Diversity: Celebrating Diversity for Common and Shared Values”.

The two-day (29-30 August) event is being held in Bali, Indonesia under the theme “Unity in Diversity: Celebrating Diversity for Common and Shared Values”.

Participants include UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, political leaders, and representatives of international and regional bodies, the private sector and civil society.

Hunger and poverty at the root of many conflicts

In his statement, Graziano da Silva noted how hunger and poverty are at the root of many conflicts and political fallouts that have produced more crises in the world than natural disasters.

He cited for example how the steep increase in food prices in 2008 sparked riots in many countries over rice, bread, or disputes over access to land and water and how such social conflict led to the fall of several governments.

The FAO Director-General said that providing food security for all people was an essential requirement “to build the future we want – a peaceful, prosperous, inclusive and tolerant future.”

Development cannot be sustainable if millions of people are left behind – a concept that “echoes the values from many different religions,” the FAO Director-General added.

Diversity central to FAO’s work

In his statement, Graziano da Silva noted that providing food security and combating poverty requires dialogue between different cultures, faiths and races in accordance with the founding principles of UNAOC with which FAO has reached an understanding to work together.

Diversity is central to the way FAO as an organization with 194 member states works in providing technical expertise in fisheries, agriculture, forestry and nutrition, the Director-General noted.

The partnership between FAO and UNAOC will help to ensure that food can be used as a bridge to improve cross-cultural relations and to promote shared prosperity, Graziano da Silva said.

UNAOC which is supported by 114 states and 25 international organizations works to develop innovative models to defuse tensions that stem from religious, ethnic and cultural differences.

UNAOC’s 6th Global Forum includes sessions dealing with promoting harmony through inter-religious and cross-cultural dialogue, the role of women in fostering understanding among cultures and social inclusion and migration.

Discussions will also focus on the Millenium Development Goals and the post-2015 agenda.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/241803/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/241803/icode/Thu, 28 Aug 2014 22:00:00 GMTWorking together for a more resilient world 19 August marks the anniversary of the bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, in which 22 people lost their lives. In 2008, the UN General Assembly designated this day as World Humanitarian Day in an effort to raise public awareness of the crucial role that humanitarian assistance plays in improving people's lives worldwide, and to recognize the contributions of those who risk their lives delivering it.

19 August marks the anniversary of the bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, in which 22 people lost their lives. In 2008, the UN General Assembly designated this day as World Humanitarian Dayin an effort to raise public awareness of the crucial role that humanitarian assistance plays in improving people's lives worldwide, and to recognize the contributions of those who risk their lives delivering it.

Today, on World Humanitarian Day, FAO celebrates the spirit of our staff: their humanitarian work in the field and their ongoing efforts to build resilience in communities around the globe.

The challenges involved in that work are great.

Around 2.5 billion people whose livelihoods depend on crops, fish, forests and livestock are continually threatened by hazards and crises.

When disasters strike, FAO immediately helps families regain the means to provide for themselves, ensuring a harvest does not pass by when families critically need that food and income.

But the same time, we work to address the root causes that put communities at risk, and try to reduce their vulnerability and increase their resilience. In many contexts, saving livelihoods saves lives.

Our staff's commitment to communities is proactiveand long-term. They work with communities - and the institutions which support them - to prevent disasters and mitigate their impact while ensuring development gains are sustainable.

They also work tirelessly and in increasingly difficult conditions to assist those most in need.

Their humanitarian efforts are a critical part of FAO's wider efforts to build the resilience of farming, fishing, herding communities.

Today FAO also pays tribute to the strength and perseverance of the world's farmers, fishers and herders, who continue to sow their fields, tend their animals and bring food to markets and homes, oftentimes while coping with difficult circumstances or struggling to adapt to changing conditions.

"It's an opportunity to make a difference where it is needed most, and a meaningful challenge." – Azzam Saleh Ayasa, Head of Programme, FAO West Bank and Gaza Strip

"I'm here to help people in need. This is what it's all about." – Honorine Brahim, FAO Program Assistant, Democratic Republic of the Congo

"To restore hope to desperate people who end up in situations they're often not responsible for." - Guillaume Kahomboshi, Food Security Expert, Democratic Republic of the Congo

"It's always a joy for me to see crisis-hit families return to work in their fields." - Tiphaine Bueke, FAO HIV/AIDS Focual Point, Democratic Republic of the Congo

"The work is so gratifying that it is easy to forget all the difficulties, the dark moments, the problems." – Jacopo Damelio, Operations Officer, FAO Afghanistan

"No two days are ever the same; there are always new activities and challenges. I love the dynamic environment that I work in and the fantastic people who I work with." – Tahseen Ayyash, Field Monitor, FAO Syria

"I was born in a war torn country, I owe so much to the humanitarians for their help to the Sudanese people during the war, and it is gratifying to extend the same service to other generations who are unfortunately born into a world of conflicts and natural disasters in South Sudan." – Nyabenyi Tipo, Emergency Livestock Officer, FAO South Sudan

"Coming from South Sudan where we have experienced so many challenges, ranging from wars, floods, diseases and droughts, it has been my desire and ambition that one day all this will come to an end through our efforts as humanitarian actors.” – YolYoal, Farmer Field School and Pastoral Field School Advisor, FAO South Sudan

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/241088/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/241088/icode/Mon, 18 Aug 2014 22:00:00 GMTGaza: Damage to agriculture will have long-lasting effects The fighting in Gaza has forced farmers and herders to abandon their lands and has paralysed fishing activities, bringing local food production to a halt and severely affecting livelihoods, FAO warned today. Recovery in the agriculture sector, once hostilities cease, will require significant external assistance over the long term.

14 August 2014, Rome - The fighting in Gaza has forced farmers and herders to abandon their lands and has paralysed fishing activities, bringing local food production to a halt and severely affecting livelihoods, FAO warned today. Recovery in the agriculture sector, once hostilities cease, will require significant external assistance over the long term.

The recent fighting has resulted in substantial direct damage to Gaza's 17,000 hectares of croplands as well as much of its agricultural infrastructure, including greenhouses, irrigation systems, animal farms, fodder stocks and fishing boats.

According to the latest update by the FAO/World Food Programme (WFP)-coordinated Food Security Sector (FSS), Gaza has lost half of its population of poultry birds (broilers and layers) either due to direct hits on their shelters or lack of water, feed or care resulting from access restrictions.

Around 64,000 head of small ruminants are in need of animal feed and water in order to avoid further animal deaths and the additional erosion of herders' productive assets.

Meanwhile losses by Gaza's fishing sector so far are estimated at 234.6 tonnes over the period 9 July - 10 August --equivalent to 9.3 percent of local fishers' yearly catch.

"Up to now, ongoing military operations have prevented detailed assessments of damages to agriculture from being completed," said Ciro Fiorillo, head of FAO's office in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. "With the latest ceasefire holding, however, a series of field visits to agriculture sites has been initiated under the leadership of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and with FAO and other FSS partners participating, as part of a broader Multi-Cluster Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA) process. That activity will continue, security conditions permitting, and will lead to a detailed report on damage to agriculture and recovery needs," he added.

The Gaza Strip imports most of what it eats -- however locally produced food represents an important source of nutritious and affordable food, and some 28,600 households in Gaza rely on farming (19,000 households), livestock raising (6,000) and fishing (3,600) for their livelihoods.

"Under the most recent ceasefire many farmers and herders are now able to access their lands, however resumption of food production faces serious obstacles given the damages sustained and shortages of water, electricity, inputs and financial resources, as well as ongoing uncertainty regarding the possible resumption of military activities", said Fiorillo. Volatile food prices

Food prices in Gaza have fluctuated considerably compared with before hostilities began, registering significant increases for certain products such as eggs and many vegetables. Upward spikes have ranged from a 40 percent increase in the price of eggs to a 42 percent increase for potatoes to a 179 percent spike in the price of tomatoes.

With local food production halted and food imports curtailed, virtually the entire population of Gaza (about 1.8 million people) is currently reliant on food aid. WFP, together with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) regularly assists about 1.1 million people. Additionally, about 700 000 people are currently relying on the extraordinary food distribution carried out by the Palestinian Ministry of Social Affairs, UNRWA, and WFP. Emergency fodder distribution planned

As soon as a permanent ceasefire is established FAO, with support from Canada, will distribute fodder to feed 55 000 small ruminants throughout Gaza for 45 days. The Organization is also positioned to distribute 4 000, 1-cubic metre water tanks to help herders water their animals.

"We have a programme that supports the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods of Gaza fishermen, herders and farmers," said Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, FAO Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa. "We need to get this back on track as soon as hostilities cease, to promote not just survival of Gaza's people but their self-reliant development."

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/240924/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/240924/icode/Wed, 13 Aug 2014 22:00:00 GMTUN says more support urgently needed to tackle growing food insecurity in the Sahel The UN today called on the international donor community to renew a commitment to fight hunger and food insecurity in the Sahel by protecting and strengthening the resilience of the poor and very poor families in the region.

25 July 2014, Rome - The United Nations today called on the international donor community to renew a commitment to fight hunger and food insecurity in the Sahel by protecting and strengthening the resilience of the poor and very poor families in the region.

Various factors, including the impacts of several ongoing conflicts and recurring droughts are exacerbating food insecurity in the region, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sahel, Robert Piper, said in a joint statement.

In February, FAO appealed to donors for 116 million US dollars to assist more than 7.5 million vulnerable people in the Sahel. To date, only 16 million US dollars, or less than 14 percent, have been received.

"If we are going to break out of this cycle of chronic crises across the Sahel region, emergency assistance to vulnerable farmers and pastoralists has to be considered a top priority," Robert Piper said. "The best way to reduce tomorrow's emergency case-load is to help households protect their assets today," he added.

"Due to funding gaps, interventions that could prevent the food security situation from worsening are delayed and the capacities of vulnerable communities to cope with repeated shocks are deteriorating," said Bukar Tijani, Assistant Director-General, FAO Regional Office for Africa.

This year, as part of a commitment to zero hunger in the Sahel region, the UN and humanitarian partners launched an ambitious three-year Regional Strategic Response Plan for the Sahel to support resilience over the longer-term by tackling the root causes of hunger. The plan also includes the rapid scaling-up of measures to meet the immediate food security and nutritional needs of those at-risk.

Over the years, despite efforts by governments and partners to fight hunger in the Sahel, the situation remains of major concern.

In February 2014 already more than 20 million people were suffering from food insecurity. This situation is exacerbated by the current lean season and the resultant depletion of food stocks.

In addition, the rainy season has so far been patchy, with abundant rainfall in the West of the sub-region (except in Senegal), and below-average precipitation registered in parts of the East, notably Nigeria, Togo, Benin along the Gulf of Guinea, and in Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad. Below average rains have in particular, delayed planting activities in Senegal and Chad.

Displaced people

Chronic food insecurity in the Sahel is deteriorating further due to population displacement. Displaced people from the Central African Republic and Nigeria who have been seeking refuge in Cameroon, Niger and Chad, are requiring urgent assistance. In many cases and in order to meet part of the refugees needs, host families are using their own food reserves and their limited resources.

Refugees are fleeing with their cattle, putting additional pressure on natural resources and cultivated areas, thus increasing the risk of conflict between communities. Recent clashes in Northern Mali have also generated new displacements of people to the South of Mali and neighbouring countries.

While current FAO assistance is crucial to protect the livelihoods of the most vulnerable families, the current funding gap hampers efforts to assist herders, agropastoralists and farmers. Poor and very poor rural households that have limited access to agriculture and that do not benefit from livelihood support will continue to depend on casual labor for revenues, on markets to access food, and to rely on damaging coping strategies, such as selling assets, reducing the number of meals, or taking children out of school.

FAO has already provided time-critical assistance to help more than 1.2 million vulnerable rural families prepare for the current agricultural campaign. FAO is also assisting vulnerable pastoralists through the recapitalization of herds, the distribution of veterinary products, water point rehabilitation and trainings.

"More should be done to protect the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities in a region that is so frequently affected by various shocks," said Bukar Tijani. "With timely donor support, FAO still can prevent further degradation of livelihoods and missed planting opportunities for many vulnerable communities, while at the same time strengthening their resilience with longer-term interventions."

In the western Chad region of Kanem, recent FAO efforts have led to significant results in terms of resilience through a wide approach associating greater access of women to irrigated land, good agricultural practices, goat-rearing, nutrition training, income-generating activities and drip irrigation. Thanks to additional agriculture income and trainings, over half of the beneficiaries adopted more varied and balanced diets, and a dramatic decrease in child malnutrition was observed, dropping to 12.6 percent in beneficiary households, compared to 31 among non-beneficiaries.

FAO's funding appeal for 116 million US dollars for the Sahel is a part of a wider 2.2 billion US dollars funding appeal by the humanitarian teams across the region, which is today financed at only 29 percent.

FAO works in close partnership with ECOWAS and CILSS on a number of programmes in the framework of the multi- stakeholder AGIR initiative.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/239759/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/239759/icode/Fri, 25 Jul 2014 09:00:00 GMTFAO warns of fruit bat risk in West African Ebola epidemic Increased efforts are needed to improve awareness among rural communities in West Africa about the risks of contracting the Ebola virus from eating certain wildlife species including fruit bats, FAO warned today.

21 July 2014, Rome – Increased efforts are needed to improve awareness among rural communities in West Africa about the risks of contracting the Ebola virus from eating certain wildlife species including fruit bats, FAO warned today.

Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are struggling to contain the world’s deadliest recorded outbreak of the virus, which is transmitted by direct contact with the blood and body fluids of infected people as well as infected animals.

The West African epidemic is thought to have started when the virus crossed over from infected wildlife into the human population and subsequently began spreading between people.

Curbing human-to-human transmission is the most important focus for governments and international health agencies. However, FAO is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness of the transmission risks from wildlife among rural communities that hunt for bushmeat - or meat obtained from the forests - to supplement their diets and income. These communities risk future spill-over from species that can carry the virus, including fruit bats, some primates, and duikers.

“We are not suggesting that people stop hunting altogether, which isn’t realistic,” said FAO Chief Veterinary Officer Juan Lubroth. “But communities need clear advice on the need not to touch dead animals or to sell or eat the meat of any animal that they find already dead. They should also avoid hunting animals that are sick or behaving strangely, as this is another red flag.”

Fruit bats – usually eaten dried or in a spicy soup – are thought to be the most likely reservoir species for the virus, which they can carry without developing clinical signs of the disease, and should be avoided altogether, according to FAO.

“The virus is killed when meat is cooked at a high temperature or heavily smoked, but anyone who handles, skins or butchers an infected wild animal is at risk of contracting the virus,” Lubroth said.

Myths and mistrust thwarting efforts

While several governments in the region have attempted to outlaw the sale and consumption of bushmeat, bans have proved impossible to enforce and have met with suspicion from rural communities.

“There is a lot of mistrust, to the extent that people are hiding patients rather than getting medical help, and it’s very difficult to control the disease in the midst of many myths and rumours,” said Katinka de Balogh, FAO veterinary public health officer and Ebola focal point.

De Balogh said there were growing concerns about the effect the outbreak may have on food security in some parts of the region as some farmers are too afraid to work in their fields, while some markets have also closed down.

FAO action plan

FAO has already committed resources and is working with governments, WHO country offices and other partners in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to improve information about the virus at community-level, using existing networks such as rural radio and agricultural extension services.

“It is critical for rural communities to understand the risks, both of human-to-human transmission and from wildlife, so that they are in a position to make informed decisions themselves,” de Balogh said.

The Organization will work with governments to also set up wildlife surveillance systems to support early detection of the virus, collaborating with wildlife rangers, veterinarians and local universities.

“Rural communities have an important role to play in reporting unusual mortality in the animal population, which is another reason that their collaboration is so crucial,” de Balogh said.

In addition, FAO will help to assess the role of hunting in livelihoods with a view to finding healthier and more sustainable long-term livestock production alternatives to provide people with additional protein and income.

West Africa’s first human cases of Ebola virus disease were suspected to have occurred in December 2013, and according to WHO more than 600 people have died from the disease in the region.

Lethal in up to 90 percent of cases, Ebola virus disease causes multiple organ failure and, in some cases, severe haemorrhaging. There is currently no vaccine for the disease.

25 June 2014, Rome – Iraq is facing serious food security concerns following the recent escalation of conflict in a large swath of the country, FAO warned today.

Over 1 million people so far have fled their homes and farms since January, leaving behind jobs and possessions just as the main harvesting season for wheat and barley crops was getting under way. In total, 2 million Iraqis are now displaced within the country, including those affected by the Syrian conflicts and previous events in Iraq.

Prior to the crisis, plentiful rainfall meant the Organization had predicted an above-average wheat harvest of 3 million tonnes for this year, some 16 percent above the five-year average. The barley crop was also expected to hold steady at 900 000 tonnes, still 15 percent above the five-year average.

Now, however, prevailing civil insecurity and associated access problems, labour shortages, and disruptions in transport and marketing are expected to significantly impact harvesting and domestic production and supply.

The governorates most affected by the current conflict, Nineveh and Salahaddin, on average contribute nearly a third of Iraq’s wheat production and about 38 percent of its barley.

Cereal import requirements for 2014-2015 are now expected to increase. In the 2013-2014 marketing year that is just ending, cereal import levels were estimated at 4.26 million tonnes, including 2.7 million tonnes of wheat and 1.3 million tonnes of rice.

As the availability of staple food commodities like wheat will be affected, food access for many market-dependent households, poor families and the displaced will likely deteriorate further. And although full information on food prices is not yet available, costs of staple commodities are likely to rise.

For instance, reports indicate that in Nineveh and Salahaddin governorates, grain reserves are being depleted and levels of available food via the public distribution system are fast deteriorating. The system is the main source of food for the poorest Iraqis, providing them with subsidized rice, wheat flour, oil, sugar and baby milk formula.

“If the conflict continues, basic food commodities and other essential items will be increasingly unavailable to the most vulnerable, despite government subsidies,” said FAO Representative in Iraq, Fadel El Zubi. “The conflict and displacement has also coincided with the peak of summer heat and the holy month of Ramadan, when household expenditures on food and other essential items are normally higher.”

In addition to the governorates, which are the epicentre of the ongoing conflict and civil insecurity, the northern Kurdish region of Iraq is also under pressure, since it is now hosting a large share of people who have fled their homes in addition to some 225 000 Syrian refugees.

According to the FAO report, animal diseases are already a threat to livestock in Iraq and a danger to public health, particularly for refugees and people who have been displaced.Urgent assistance required

FAO is calling for $12.7 million to provide urgent support to farming families , particularly in crop and livestock production, to mitigate the damage to food, income and employment sources.

The Organization needs to secure funds by July/August to provide crisis-affected farmers with seeds and fertilizers in time for the October/November cereal planting season where open field cultivation is possible.

FAO also gives high priority to helping vulnerable families with more immediate means of feeding themselves and generating income through backyard vegetable and poultry production as well as cash-for-work activities in partnership with the World Food Programme.

Another crucial focus is the provision of animal feed and veterinary services to help safeguard animal heath and livestock production in the country, which includes 8 million sheep, over 2.5 million cattle, 1.5 million goats and 38 million chickens.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/237162/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/237162/icode/Tue, 24 Jun 2014 22:00:00 GMTVideo: “A multi-pronged attack on food security” – Update on South Sudan The full extent of the conflict-driven food security crisis in South Sudan has yet to unfold, warns Sue Lautze, head of FAO operations in the troubled African nation.

The full extent of the conflict-driven food security crisis in South Sudan has yet to unfold, warns Sue Lautze, head of FAO operations in the troubled African nation.

Recent conflicts have destroyed food stocks, disrupted food production activities, and left markets in ruins - and have driven some 300,000 people to flee to neighboring Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Sudan, where they are dependent on food relief for their survival.

"The situation is fraught with multiple heartbreaks," says Lautze. "It's been a multi-pronged attack on food security."

Currently, some 3.5 million people in South Sudan are now experiencing crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity as defined by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, the global standard for measuring food security conditions. FAO has been working in very challenging conditions in South Sudan caused both by conflict and seasonal flooding to provide the worst affected communities with means to produce food by distributing fishing, animal health, vegetable and crop emergency livelihood kits. Watch the full video to learn more (in English/original language)

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/237027/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/237027/icode/Mon, 23 Jun 2014 22:00:00 GMTFAO scaling up operations in South Sudan FAO is scaling up its emergency response operations in South Sudan despite problems of access and insecurity in parts of the country.

05 June 2014, Juba, South Sudan - FAO is scaling up its emergency response operations in South Sudan despite problems of access and insecurity in parts of the country. The Organization has extended its emergency response for an additional three months to reach conflict-affected farmers, fishers and herders with vital emergency livelihood kits that will enable them to plant crops, fish waterways and protect livestock from fatal diseases.

Since the crisis began, more than 110 000 emergency livelihood kits have been distributed, including crop seeds, fishing kits, vegetable seeds and livestock health kits.

With $42 million of funding received to date, FAO is supporting 1.3 million people. However, more funding is urgently needed to reach out to vulnerable rural communities in the worst-hit areas while building resilience throughout the country and prevent a further worsening of food insecurity.

FAO reaching remote communities by all means possible

As well as targeting conflict-affected communities with large-scale distributions by truck, FAO successfully flew 21 tonnes of crop seeds to Pibor in Jonglei state in partnership with the United Nations Missions in Sudan (UNMISS) .

Subsequently, FAO undertook an emergency airdrop with the support of the World Food Programme (WFP) logistics capacity, dropping packages from a plane to a partner on the ground who then distributed the seed to farmers. Although used only as a last resort due to their high cost, airdrops guarantee that farmers in the most inaccessible areas receive support, enabling them to grow their own food and making the operation cost-efficient in the long run.

Three tonnes of crop seeds were successfully air-dropped in Mayendit county, Unity State, and will enable 250 households to produce over 200 tonnes of crops including maize, sorghum, cowpea and sesame.

“FAO is doing everything it can to assist the highly vulnerable people of South Sudan, including innovations in the delivery of seeds through airdrops,” said Sue Lautze, FAO’s Head of Office in South Sudan and the UN’s Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in the country. “Portability and flexibility are our watchwords right now. FAO is grateful to WFP and the donors who facilitated these initial airdrops. We will continue to integrate this logistic option as part of the FAO-WFP-UNICEF rapid response partnership.”

The complex logistical operation has been possible thanks to collaboration with humanitarian partners such as WFP, the Logistics Cluster, UNMISS and the Government of the Republic of South Sudan.

Access constraints hamper humanitarian assistance

“The humanitarian response has been facing serious logistical challenges in reaching affected communities,” Lautze said. “Humanitarian access and insecurity remain the biggest threats to food security in the country – if we cannot reach those in most need there is a real risk of famine later in 2014 and into 2015.”

Due to the impacts of conflict and displacement, more than 3.5 million people are currently suffering from crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity, meaning they are unable to meet basic survival needs even with extreme coping mechanisms such as selling livestock and other productive assets. Unless these communities benefit from humanitarian assistance, their food security will deteriorate even further.Twin-track approach to counteract food insecurity

“FAO’s work is not limited to humanitarian operations - we have a twin-track approach where we will continue with our development projects whilst responding to the most critical humanitarian needs,” Lautze explained.

“That said, our focus in coming months will be on the most food insecure counties in Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile states where there is a real risk of famine in localized areas later this year unless we can get farmers planting now. This deterioration coincides with the area’s lean season, when food insecurity is already at its peak.”

FAO is appealing for $108 million as part of the UN’s revised Crisis Response Plan and has received $42 million to date. Additional funding could bring the total number of people supported in 2014 to 2.7 million.

2 June 2014, Mogadishu/Rome - Late rains and erratic weather patterns in Somalia have raised concerns over a worsening of the food security situation, as food stocks from the last, poor harvest become depleted and prices continue to rise sharply, a new FAO report says.

GIEWS presents a worrisome picture as the lean season progresses and the recent escalation in conflict in the southern and central regions continues to have a disruptive impact on markets.

"The people of Somalia cannot afford to wait to see how the next harvest turns out. They need urgent support to improve their food security and maintain their livelihoods, most of which depend directly on agriculture," said Luca Alinovi, acting Head of FAO's Somalia Office and FAO Representative in Kenya.

FAO, in coordination with partners in the Food Security Cluster (FSC) addressing the humanitarian situation, is urgently seeking $18 million to scale up rapid interventions (90-day priority needs response) to prevent and mitigate the further deterioration of the food security situation.

A delayed start to the 2014 gu season (April-June) has added to concerns already fuelled by the weak January harvest of the 2013/2014 deyr cereal crops, cultivated during the secondary, late-year rainy period. Harvests were well below average in the central and southern areas of the country, following weeks of late and erratic rainfall, as well as flooding around rivers.

Lower stocks, coupled with the market and trade disruptions, led to double-digit increases in wholesale prices of maize and sorghum in some areas.

In the main producing areas of the south, April retail prices of maize and sorghum were as much as 60 and 80 percent higher, respectively, than one year earlier, also due to the scaling back of humanitarian assistance operations.

The gu rains resumed in early May, but rains will need to continue through the end of June in order to prevent further deterioration of the food security situation in Somalia.

Conditions are expected to improve slightly in August and September when the harvest is ready for consumption, but the positive impact is likely to be moderate given the unfavourable prospects of the current season.

The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in Somalia is currently estimated at about 860 000, including over 200 000 malnourished children under five years of age.

Urgent action needed

The urgent activities proposed by FAO are aimed at meeting the most vulnerable Somali communities' immediate needs and making them more resilient to droughts and other shocks:

temporary employment creation through FAO's Cash-for-Work programme for the rehabilitation of water catchments and irrigation canals for an estimated 13000 households (estimated cost: $6.3million);

distribution of adapted crop and fodder production inputs (seed and vouchers for fertilizer and tractor hours) for the coming Deyr 2014 season for an estimated 15000 households ($5.5million);

These interventions, planned for the upcoming three months, will be in the priority target areas of Hiran, Middle Shabelle, Lower Shabelle, Galgadug and Bakol Regions in South Central Somalia and Bari region in the Northeast.

The overall FAO programme in Somalia consists of three pillars, namely 1) resilience; 2) institutional capacity development and policy support; and 3) information for action, which includes early warning systems for food security, nutrition, drought and floods. The total planned value of the FAO Somalia Programme (2014-2017) is $566 million, but as of today, only 14 percent of the planned figures is funded.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/232742/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/232742/icode/Sun, 01 Jun 2014 22:00:00 GMTMERS Coronavirus: Stepped up research into role of camels and other animals urged Expert meeting in Oman leads to guidance on investigating transmission routes and stemming spread of the disease.

23 May 2014, Muscat, Oman/Rome - Health experts and veterinarians are among those calling for stepped up monitoring, investigations, and immediate reporting of cases of the potentially fatal Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), an infection that has caused numerous human illnesses and deaths, but whose origins may be linked to animals.

A declaration at a regional technical consultation meeting, convened by FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Sultanate of Oman, warned countries in the region and beyond of the need for public health and veterinary authorities to carry out coordinated investigations, and share information and results.

Participants noted the "recent upsurge in human cases in the Arabian Peninsula and the suspected zoonotic transmission involving, in particular, dromedary camels." They agreed on a list of specific recommendations to increase knowledge about the transmission of the virus to humans and to minimize its impact on animal and human health, as well as agriculture and livestock-related livelihoods.

"It is vitally important for the international community to increase our understanding of ‘where' and ‘how' the virus is transmitted, ‘who' the source is - whether animal or human - and 'when' and ‘why' certain people are spreading the virus," said Juan Lubroth, Chief Veterinary Officer at FAO.

"There is an urgent need to focus investigations on the epidemiology of MERS-CoV in animal species, to prevent human primary infections and to avoid putting other people in danger," added Lubroth.

"By better understanding the epidemiology, we can provide the necessary guidelines to avoid spillover from animals to humans and protect the camel or other animal industries from potential negative consequences," he said.

As of May 21, MERS had led to over 630 laboratory-confirmed illnesses among humans and more than 190 deaths since 2012, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It has affected people primarily in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but cases have also been reported in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Oman and Yemen.

Other cases reported in Asia, North Africa, Europe and North America have been linked to travel or work in the Near East region, reflecting the role that the speed of global travel can potentially play in the spread of disease agents.

The majority of cases have occurred through human-to-human transmission, however it remains to be determined if people may have been infected by contact with environmental or animal sources.

"Participants in the MERS consultation agreed that there is also a vital need to raise awareness among the public at large about the importance of seeking medical attention, the nature of the disease, and ways to avoid it," Lubroth stressed.

Recommendations

The recommendations are focused on the potential link with camels or other animal sources. Priorities should be given to:

1. raising public awareness of MERS-CoV

2. urgent investment in research and surveillance of animals;

3. the systematic search for potential sources of human infection from animal sources or the environment;

4. joint efforts and coordination among public health authorities.

Concerted action is also called for in the areas of:

good practices in heightening biosecurity measures at farms or at border crossings;

underscoring the importance of personal hygiene practiced by people who work around livestock, slaughterhouses and racing animals -- such as frequent hand-washing after touching animals, protective clothing and washing of soiled clothing, shoes and other items;

greater region-wide information sharing and closer coordination to manage risks posed by the movement and trade of livestock;

The guidance emerging from the consultation reflected discussions during the 20-21 May consultation, which was opened by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries of Oman, H.E. Dr Fuad Jaafar al Sajwani. Participants included the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Gulf Cooperation Council and renowned international experts who are currently collaborating with researchers and authorities of the region.

Several studies have reported high proportions of camels with antibodies against MERS-CoV or that of a closely-related virus, both in countries where human cases were detected and also in countries with no reported cases.

Some of these studies have shown that MERS-CoV has been circulating in camels in Saudi Arabia since at least 1992. Genetic evidence of MERS-CoV infection was found in tests of camel samples from a farm in Qatar and in other studies in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Coronaviruses are widespread in animal species and they can infect livestock and a wide range of wild species, including bats, rodents and wild birds.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/232087/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/232087/icode/Fri, 23 May 2014 14:00:00 GMTFAO responds to devastating flooding in the Balkans In response to recent devastating floods affecting Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia as well as Croatia, FAO is assessing the potentially extensive damage to livestock, crops and rural infrastructure. The Serbian government has already indicated that agriculture is among the hardest hit sectors.

23 May 2014, Budapest - In response to recent devastating floods affecting Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia as well as Croatia, FAO is assessing the potentially extensive damage to livestock, crops and rural infrastructure. The Serbian government has already indicated that agriculture is among the hardest hit sectors.

As United Nations (UN) personnel are working together with national teams and neighbouring countries to cope with immediate threats to human health and safety, FAO is supporting the affected countries to survey damage, estimate losses and identify immediate needs in the agriculture sector.

FAO teams in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia are also assessing supplies of animal feed, basic veterinary medicines, agricultural machinery, seeds and tools.

"Many of the affected families have small farms," said Raimund Jehle, Senior Field Programme Officer at FAO’s Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia in Budapest. "For them, the impact of a drowned milk cow has an enormous effect on household income."

"Damage assessment and recovery efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina are further complicated by the presence of unexploded landmines dislodged and moved by the flooding", Jehle said. The removal of livestock carcasses presents another urgent health issue.

The findings of FAO’s agricultural needs assessment will contribute to a consolidated UN "flash appeal," through which the UN system will seek donor financing for the countries’ recovery.

FAO’s emergency response to the Balkans flood emergency is being coordinated by the Organization’s Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, in Budapest. Specialists in crops, livestock and agricultural economics are being mobilized throughout the region and from FAO headquarters in Rome.

]]>

FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/232603/icode/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/232603/icode/Fri, 23 May 2014 08:00:00 GMTSouth Sudan facing risk of famine South Sudan is at a risk of famine unless humanitarian assistance is provided now, FAO Deputy Director-General for Operations Dan Gustafson told a humanitarian pledging conference for the country in Oslo.

21 May 2014, Rome/Oslo - South Sudan is at a risk of famine unless humanitarian assistance is provided now, FAO Deputy Director-General for Operations Dan Gustafson told a humanitarian pledging conference for the country in Oslo.

“The food security crisis in South Sudan is now worsening and spreading westward to areas previously less affected,” Gustafson said, speaking at the conference co-hosted by Norway and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to galvanize support for the conflict-stricken country.

“This trend is set to continue unless farmers can plant their fields, and herders can access their traditional grazing areas.” he added.

Some 3.5 million people in South Sudan are now experiencing crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, the global standard for measuring food security conditions.

The central message from the conference was that peace, security, stability and unhindered humanitarian access remain the most critical factors in preventing a famine and in supporting affected populations, and are the responsibility of the parties to the conflict.

FAO helping people fish, farm, protect livestock

FAO has been working in very challenging conditions in South Sudan caused both by conflict and seasonal flooding to provide the worst affected communities with means to produce food by distributing fishing, animal health, vegetable and crop emergency livelihood kits (see box right for details).

Gustafson praised donors who have already given $42 million to help FAO provide emergency livelihood support to 1.3 million people, but appealed for a further $66 million to scale up operations for the rest of 2014 and the first few months of 2015.

FAO is now scaling up its operations in conflict areas, working with humanitarian partners to reach vulnerable communities in remote locations by airlifts and trucks, to ensure maximum production from all of the nation’s farmers, pastoralists and fishers.

FAO is advocating for a combined approach to enhance food production and contribute to food security and nutrition; protecting livestock and other productive assets while providing life-saving food production kits in conflict-affected areas, and boosting production in areas less affected by conflict to ensure a minimum level of agricultural production.

“FAO has adapted most of its development initiatives and amplified its resilience work,” added Gustafson. “Our purpose is to mobilize maximum resources to address the dual imperative of tackling the critical food and nutrition crisis while also supporting the livelihoods of the viable but vulnerable producers in other parts of the country.”

To date, FAO has distributed 64 500 emergency livelihood kits, and another 110 000 kits are scheduled for distribution over the next two weeks.

The crop and vegetable seed kits help families capitalize on any access to land, even small plots, to plant different types of seeds and diversity their diets, while fishing kits provide the means to fish rivers and swamps for a source of protein that can be dried, smoked and preserved.

Protecting livestock is also essential, cattle in particular as a source of milk, and because animals are often the only assets displaced people can take with them, exchanging them for cash or grain in times of crisis.

With additional funding, the Organization will be able to support a total of 450 000 households in 2014 and preposition livelihood support for 116 000 households in the first three months of 2015.

Donors who have contributed to FAO’s response so far are Belgium, Canada, Denmark, , the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the Africa Solidarity Trust Fund, the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO) and the UN’s Common Humanitarian Fund.

OCHA estimates that a total of 4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in South Sudan and more than 1.3 million people have fled from their homes since the onset of conflict in December 2013. OCHA expects one in two South Sudanese to be severely affected by December 2014.